Can Romance Novels Hurt Your Heart?

On the nightstand of a woman in your church, there’s a Christian romance novel and a Bible. Does that matter? On the Kindle of a teenage Christian woman in your congregation’s youth group, there’s a “young adult” fiction bestseller. Should that concern you?

A new book by Boston University researchers Ogi Ogas and Sai Gaddam, A Billion Wicked Thoughts, offers a disturbing look at how Internet search engines reveal much about the sexual and emotional desires of men and women, and how they differ. The research confirms in some ways what almost everyone knows: men are visually engaged, attracted to youth and sexual novelty, and are thus vulnerable to visual pornography.

The research explores further what the commercialized romance industry tells us about what it means to be a woman (at least in a fallen world). Women are much less likely to be drawn to visual pornography (although more do so than one might think), but are quite likely to be involved in such media as Internet romantic fiction or the old-fashioned romance novel.

The romance novel follows, the researchers argue, a typical pattern. The hero is almost never, they say, a blue collar worker, a bureaucrat, or someone in the traditionally feminine occupations (hairdresser, kindergarten teacher, etc.). He is competent, confident, and usually wealthy. He is, in short, an alpha male.

But, they argue, this alpha male is typically a rough character who learns to be tamed into kindness, kindness to her. Thus, you wind up with not only the strong silent cowboys with the soft interior life, but also these days vampires and werewolves and Vikings.

And all of this is moving toward the climax of the romance story: the “happily-ever-after.”

“Romance novels rarely have a sequel,” the book concludes. “Once the hero and heroine are joined in love or matrimony, they get their Happily-Ever-After, presumably with a bevy of children and domestic bliss. Further adventures would violate the female fantasy of true, committed, eternal love.”

“Though there are many series of modern romance novels, once a couple gets their Happily-Ever-After in one book, they only resurface as beloved supporting characters in future books, with each subsequent book’s focus on a new hero or heroine.”

Of course, as they do with pornography, these scholars explain all of these archetypal female desires in a Darwinian need for the woman to seek out a mate who can be simultaneously monogamous and protective of the offspring. This evolutionary desire is seen in the strong male who pours out his feelings of devotion, and whose lifelong commitment is frozen in time and certainty in the Happily-Ever-After moment.

While I don’t share all the presuppositions of these scholars, I think they’re on to something about the allure of the commercialized romance story. Pornography and romance novels aren’t (or at least aren’t always) morally equivalent, but they “work” the same way.

Both are based on an illusion. Pornography is based on the illusion of a perfectly willing, always aroused partner without the “work” of relational intimacy. Often romance novels or their film equivalents do the same thing for the emotional needs of women that pornography offers for the erotic urges of men.

And in both cases, what the “market” wants is sameness. Men want the illusion of women who look just like women but are, in terms of sexual response, just like men. Women want the illusion of men who are “real” men, but, in terms of a concept of romance, are just like women. In both artificial eros and artificial romance, there is the love of the self, not the mystery of the other.

Thankfully, we do not yet have a market for “Christian” pornography (but just wait, someone will find a way). But we do have a market for “Christian” romance novels. Now some of those classified as such aren’t really “romance novels” at all. They’re complicated looks at the human condition, especially male/female relationships, from a Christian vantage point.

A lot of this genre, though, is simply a Christianization of a form not intended to enhance intimacy but to escape to an artificial illusion of it. Granted, there’s no graphic sexuality here. The hero and heroine don’t sleep together; they pray together. But that’s just the point.

How many disappointed middle-aged women in our congregations are reading these novels as a means of comparing the “strong spiritual leaders” depicted there with what by comparison must seem to be underachieving lumps lying next to them on the couch?

This is not to equate morally “romance novels” with the grave soul destruction of pornography. But it is worth asking, “Is what I’m consuming leading me toward contentment with my spouse (or future spouse) or away from it? Is it pointing me to the other in one-flesh union or to an eroticized embodiment of my own desires? Is this the mystery or a mirage?

188 Comments

I’ve felt similarly about this subject as I watched many girls in my Christian high school jump on board the “Twilight” bandwagon. Even the tomboyish ones, the girls who played “Halo” and thought “Black Hawk Down” was a good movie, got into it. Thank you for your perspective. This was very helpful.

Ronya ErvinMay 20, 2011

@Devin Mork,

If we were discussing the books you’ve mentioned and other secular books, I would agree wholeheartedly with the article, but we’re not.

I don’t think that the description above is anywhere near the truth of most Christian fiction. The author’s that I read have been given a gift by God to guide readers towards Him…that He is the only place to find all that they need. There is no alpha male or perfect woman…we are all sinners. But by the grace of God redeemed. These stories are about redemption in all the various forms that God uses in everyday life to help us find Him.

I find that reading about these characters not only brings me closer to God myself, but gives me a little insight, helping me to be more understanding and accepting when I can’t comprehend the thoughts, feelings or motives of others.

I’m not saying that it’s impossible to find books that will prove the above statements, but they are not the norm in Christian fiction and I believe that this article does a huge dis-service to people, the authors, and mostly to God by suggesting this all in such a negative light.

I recommend reading a few…maybe God will bless you through them as well.

@Women Living Well, What about men who need to work on their end of the bargain? Many women turn to Christian romance because the Christian romance hero is a lot closer to the image of a husband that Paul gives than the man they share their life with.

Doesn’t the husband have a responsibility in this too? Shouldn’t he be the man that God tells him to be? A messed up or failing marriage is not just the fault of the wife and to lay the blame entirely at her feet and tell her reading romance novels is the cause of all her problems helps no one. It just makes her feel worse. I got out of an abusive marriage, thankfully before any physical damage was done. It was not wrong for me to expect him to be the leader of our home and to treat me with love and devotion.

@Women Living Well,
I don’t hear anyone saying that a failing marriage is always the wife’s fault. I know of no one who believes that. I also do not hear anyone suggesting that romance novels are “the cause of all her problems.” However, turning to romance novels is no benign escape.

These so-called Christian romance novels tend to engender a fantasy world that simply does not exist and may even lead to lust in the heart which Jesus called adultery. I would hate to think that I must measure up to some fantasy romance writer’s vision of what a man should be.

No one would begrudge you the hurt and pain of having an abusive spouse. But as a pastor I would never counsel a hurting wife to turn to romance novels as a place for healing.

Annie B.May 18, 2011

Thanks for posting this. I really enjoy Jane Austen novels. As I read this, I was wondering if you would consider those novels to be the same way?

@Annie B., Jane Austen’s novels are actually satirical; she doesn’t buy into the idea of storybook romances, but demonstrates the ridiculousness, so to speak. If you’ve read _Sense & Sensibility_, Marianne is a perfect example of the sentimentality Jane Austen is satirizing.

@Annie B., That’s a really good question. I can’t speak for all Jane Austen novels, but I think that Sense and Sensibility definitely does not fit the typical romance novel mold. One of the main characters falls in love with a young, alpha-male type of guy, only to find out that he is not who she thought he was. In the end, she actually ends up with an older man who was not her ideal, but who she learns to love. I personally think that story sends a very positive message.

Richard ChristianMay 18, 2011

I think romantic movies/comedies can be equally as dangerous. Only Christ can “complete me”. Not to mention the whole notion of “the one”. We need to teach that at the point of I do. he or she is “the one” no matter what.

Wow! This was very interesting to read. I USED to be one of those women who devoured romance novels. A couple of years ago I decided to put all that time to better use and started working on building up my husband and my marriage instead. I have NO REGRETS!

I’m no scholar but instinctively I knew that reading these books were making me YEARN for something that my marriage and my husband lacked. Its easy to think that Christian romances are okay to read.. I’ve read more than my share in the past.. but I totally agree with this article.. I’ve LIVED it!

This is a perspective I’ve never considered, and I think it’s interesting. My concern with Christian romance novels has always been mainly artistic: They’re simply not very good.

However, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with a romance portrayed well. Somebody else mentioned Jane Austen novels, and I consider those to be well-crafted, thoughtful pieces of work, a very far cry from the Christian romance fluff of today. I don’t think the characters are necessarily portrayed idealistically. On the contrary, sometimes they goof up pretty badly. But it’s very true to human nature.

@yankeegospelgirl, I agree that Jane Austen wrote well crafted literature, but I do feel as though some of her male characters follow the same pattern mentioned in the article. It’s intersesting that Jane Austen never married. I wonder if she created a fantasy for herself in which no man could live up to.

@yankeegospelgirl, I agree. Most of the time, after reading a Christian romance novel, I ask myself why I ended up pulling such a novel off the shelf for what seems like the 283582035th time. Certainly there are Christian novelists who do portray love stories well and realistically, but the vast majority do not.

Oh, but I forgot to say that the Twilight novels are, of course, highly destructive and dangerous. No teenage girl should be reading them, Christian or no!

Sarah BoghosianMay 19, 2011

@yankeegospelgirl, Let’s allow some room for Christian liberty here. I cringe at such broad statements as “No teenage girl shoud be reading them.” That’s a decision for parents to make on an individual basis upon consideration of the spiritual maturity of their child.

Now that’s funny. I meant to say “amen” to Sarah. Sorry, @yankeegospelgirl, but I totally disagree. :)

Enid McBrideMay 26, 2011

Sarah I would have to disagree with you on that if something is distructive then it is not good for anyone. You would not say “that’s a decision for parents to make on an individual basis upon consideration of the spiritual maturity of their child.” for something like drugs you would say it was wrong or how about sex out of marriage a wrong is a wrong no matter how many are doing it or how many think it is right to do. And anything wrong and not in truth with God is bad for the soul and hurts the person and should stay away from it.

Pamela NeesMay 18, 2011

I also agree that no Christians (period) should be reading the stuff market today. That includes Harry Potter, Twilight series, etc. All that does is make you yearn for the next one, take your eyes off Christ, and put your feet on the wide road.

Do you read the Scriptures with the same excitement? You should. They are words of life. The rest are words of death.

@Pamela Nees, really? I shouldn’t have read (and enjoyed, and pondered the theology of) Harry Potter? There’s no value in anything on the market today? I disagree. Fiction is a gift from God for our enjoyment; good fiction can cause us to rejoice in our loving Father’s provision of many “unnecessary” blessings :). Saying “popular fiction takes your eyes of Jesus” is like saying “food takes your eyes off Jesus.” The category is irrelevant — it’s about content and what you use it for.

I am detecting a lot of Gnosticism here — well-meant, and certainly by accident, but Gnosticism nonetheless!

Very true about how “fiction takes your eyes off Jesus” is just like saying “food takes your eyes off Jesus.” Or the internet. Or nonfiction books, or theology itself (contrary to Biblical theology, for sure!). Addition to bad books is a sin, but let’s not overcorrect with more of the same, while misidentifying the source: not a Thing, but the human heart (Mark 7).

As for Harry Potter, plenty of resources out there (including on the Christian team blog I write for, about visionary novels like sci-fi and fantasy) exist that don’t fall into either error: either proclaiming “it’s a Christian series,” or repeating rumors about its supposed direct occult connections.

@Pamela Nees : then I must ask, why are you taking the word of a “witch” above the more-sure truth of the Bible? If a pagan says “that Thing is mine” (be it a certain book series, or drum rhythm, or art genre) and the Bible says nothing directly about the Thing, and the Christian says “I believe the pagan,” who has actually compromised with Paganism? :-)

This is of course a secondary issue to that of whether fiction itself is “untruth” and thus wrong for a Christian to enjoy. But no, the Potter books don’t endorse the actual witchcraft that Scripture condemns. A passing resemblance does not make something a sin. Thinking it does is itself (well-intended) mysticism. Moreover, Scripture does contain many injunctions against dishonesty, which unfortunately I have seen many Christians practice in their fervor to oppose certain books and movies (while others on the other side, of course, are dishonest in saying “it’s just fiction” as if stories don’t affect our minds). Just something to consider.

Some more questions for some Potter critics (if Moore and/or his assistants don’t/doesn’t mind the link!) are here. (The column references “legalism,” but please don’t assume my intent is to be “legalistic” myself against perceived “legalism”! :-) )

Kirsten tjernlundMay 18, 2011

Does anyone know of a source that helps to discern ‘Christian romance novels’ from ‘Christian fiction that looks at the complicated human condition, especially male/female relationships, from a Christian understaning of the nature of man’?

EmilyRoseMay 19, 2011

@Kirsten tjernlund,

It is hard to tell – but I can recommend a couple of authors to you: Lisa Samson and Penelope J. Stokes.

Also Liz Curtis Higgs has been making fictional, different time settings of Biblical stories.

Although the first two are not as easy to read as Christian romance novels!

Jill L.May 19, 2011

I would recommend the “Redemption” series by Karen Kingsley highly. It follows the Baxter Family and through the series walks you through the lives of many different characters over the course of many years as they struggle with issues all couples face like trust, health crisis, loss of faith, ect. It gets into heavy stuff and Gary Smalley has co-written some books with her and often has some comments in it. The books have discussion questions afterwards so you can use them for a book club. While there is some romance in the series, it’s not at all the typical “Christian romance” kind of stuff and I feel like some of the books helped strengthen my marriage.

AdrienneMay 19, 2011

@Kirsten tjernlund,
– Lynn Austin is a great author to read about a character’s life and relationships in general.
– Ray Blackston is a man that writes christian fiction books with a hint of romance, but they are mainly funny books about a guy’s living.
– Another funny author is Eryn Mangum, but I haven’t read her latest series so I can’t vouch for it.
– I second the Karen Kingsbury recommendation.
– Nancy Moser’s John 3:16.
– Beverly Lewis’ is sort of about just life in general but they usually do have a hint of romance.
– W. Dale Cramer.

@Kirsten tjernlund,
That is a tough question…I end up ordering a lot of books that Amazon recommends for me (because others have bought them who also buy the authors I like), and it really is hit-or-miss. Because I’ve kind of weeded through them over the years, I have several authors I really like now and know that their books will at least be well-written, will uphold good theology and will not veer into that danger-zone of what I like to call “soft harlequin” that many “Christian” fiction books are including these days.
But I don’t know if I’d recommend them because I just enjoy them or if they fit the description you cited from the article…REALLY good and challenging question!
I wish I could help more and offer definitive answers, but I can most heartily recommend Lawana Blackwell’s books, especially her latest series, The Gresham Chronicles. Her theology is spot-on, her writing is outstanding, and the story is sweet and quaint and just a lovely experience altogether. I would also agree with Emily – Liz Curtis Higgs is a brilliant writer and I especially enjoyed her last series that is loosely based on the storyline of Ruth. Redemption (through Christ) is on the pages of these stories and overshadows any of the characters, in my opinion.

J Kent KroenckeMay 18, 2011

The common element in all of the media that you mentioned is that there are key components removed from depictions of relationships. This is necessary because with their inclusions, the “story line” does not work. Emotional attachment is removed from pornography and the true relationship killers of selfishness and poor communication are removed in the Romance novel.

I can also say this about much of the Christian dating material that I have reviewed. The Bible is not a dating manual and is not intended to be a dating manual. There are many concepts and skills that are not explicitly and thoroughly taught in the Bible, just as the Bible does not teach us how to organize a Sunday School program. I have engaged in marital counseling with two many Christians who believed that their marriage was secured by the fact that they were both Christians. Limiting your sexual contact to hand-holding until marriage (a practice that I have heard from several twenty somethings as if it were written on a stone tablet) does nothing to address your patterns of behavior and marital expectations from your family of origin (many of these issues are morally neutral, but when couples come from vastly different types of family it can cause serious turmoil.)

Returning to the issue of romance novels, I suspect they function the same way that pornography does in that it sets expectations that can never be met. How many relationships problems are driven by unmet expectations? All of them to a certain extent. In pornography, woman are depersonalized and objectified and in romance novels the same thing happens to men. Rather than loving and respecting the “lump on the couch,” he is constantly held to a standard he cannot and probably should not meet.

@J Kent Kroencke, Ditto. As a novelist and psychologist, I whole-heartedly agree with your comment!

bookstorecatJune 02, 2011

@J Kent Kroencke,

Why should a woman love a “lump on the couch”? Good romance novels are like any other kind of good fiction–they have well-rounded characters, with both strengths and flaws. Kind of like real people. Watch out, ladies, if you enjoy stories about interesting characters trying to resolve their differences or overcome an obstacle, you might like romance novels!

I think men and women should be aware of what they are reading, watching, involved in, and pursuing. As far as romance novels, I think they can cause discontentment and allow for women to create unrealistic expectations for their spouse. But I think this same argument above can be made for Christian dating books as well as media as a whole. Is what I am putting in helping me to grow in my likeness to Christ and glorify Him? This should be applied to all areas and like most things, everyone will personally be affected differently.

SamMay 18, 2011

From all of the not Alpha males out there:

” Rather than loving and respecting the “lump on the couch,” he is constantly held to a standard he cannot and probably should not meet ”

Thank you. :)

Stan CampbellMay 19, 2011

@Sam, I agree with you, thankfully my wife who reads the
“Heartsong” christian romance books and so does her mother for that matter, doesn’t comapre me to that or call me the lump on the coach. I think that she and other women use it as an escape from the day to day here hopeing the fantacy could happen in real life. But as stated above not all end happily ever after and there are sequals that continue she has told me.

Thank you so much for this insightful glimpse into the role that sentimentality can play in actually harming romantic relationships and women’s notions of reality. In a culture that is often so rife with conflicting scripts about how to navigate relationships, the realm of romance novels filters a certain depiction of relationships that will be desirable and ideal for women. Unfortunately, it is often not rooted in reality or truth. We authored an article discussing a similar point for the students and young adults that we work with at the Love and Fidelity Network. Thank you again.

Thank you for this post! Romance novels, even Christian ones can definitely hurt the heart. The yearning alone is a not positive. I’ve read two books by Beverly Lewis and she focuses more on the Amish life, Christian faith, etc. There were other authors that I just dropped, Christian ones but there’s no difference from their secular counterparts!

It’s not that I have a snitch against romantic writing – the Song of Solomon is not in the Bible for nothing – but that the Christian writing is so appalling *bad*. In my judgement, so is most Christian fiction, for that matter – the exceptions, Lewis and Tolkien, are just that – but that is for another thread.

Finally – who needs chick-lit when you’ve got all those courtship testimonies? ;-)

Diane GerstenbergerMay 19, 2011

Well put! Men are not the only guilty parties. Women pay attention and value men for who they are and not your illusion of them.

CapitalJonMay 19, 2011

I would really appreciate it if you could explain how the two are not morally equivalent.

Both are forgeries that illicitly create artificial reactions and expectations for a broken heart and mind.

Fiction hijacks a persons inner voice and provides a vacation from one’s self.

How is relationship Voyeurism not at lease as terrible as the bland, lazy, physical reaction one gets from pictures?

All I think you can say is that emotional pornography is socially permissible.

Christ followers should never been concerned about what this broken culture has to say about appropriateness.

If I am understanding you clearly, are you trying to say that reading a novel, any novel, is morally equivalent to viewing pornographic images?

CraigMay 19, 2011

Good word. Thanks for your blog on this subject. I have often had the same thoughts bouncing around in my mind. Both porn and romance novels (and popular “romantic comedy” movies) drive men and women to false expectations of the opposite sex and contributes to marital frustration.

It bothers me that “Christian” bookstores have a large section (larger than many other categories) dedicated to “fiction”. Doesn’t “fiction” mean “untrue”?

How is it that a “Christian” bookstore dedicate so much shelf space to books based in untruth? Just sayin’.

@Craig, “fiction” does not mean untrue. Yes, it’s imaginary and doesn’t really happen. But so are the parables that Jesus used in all four gospels.

I write Christian romance. It’s not something I’m ashamed of. God has given me the ability to craft these stories to share truths about Him. Jesus Himself used fiction and stories to illustrate the truths of the Kingdom.

If fiction is bad and untrue, then by your own reasoning you need to ignore every parable Jesus ever spoke. Because they weren’t true.

The novel I’m currently working on deals with themes of bitterness, anger and forgiveness. Coincidentally these are things that I’ve been dealing with in my own personal life over the last year. While I put my characters through the ringer and bring them to see the truth of God’s Word, I work out my own issues and draw closer to my Lord.

The fact that I read and write romance novels had no bearing whatsoever on the failure of my marriage. Yes I expected him to treat me kindly and with love and to help me, and be the spiritual leader of our home. That is the Biblical requirement for a husband. Him emotionally and verbally abusing me was not brought on by my invovlement in Christian romance.

When blanket statements like that are made, those of us who have survived abusive marriages feel it very personally. The heroes in Christian romance are based on the type of husband that Christ, through Paul, instructs men to be. Why is it wrong to want a husband like that?

rev.spikeMay 19, 2011

I will say this, some of us need to step it up a notch. The characters in these books should not be so far from reality. We should be praying with our wives, and being strong spiritual leaders who care about our wife’s inner life.

@rev.spike, Amen! When fictional men are closer to what God instructs a man to be than a real life man, something is very wrong. And it ain’t the fault of the book.

Men, consider these things your wake-up call! Be the man God tells you to be. Be the spiritual leader of your home. Pray with your wife. Let her know through your words and actions that you will die to protect her and your children. Just as Christ died to protect us.

I’m a Christian author, and I’ve written a similar article to this on my group blog, Inkwell Inspirations. I do share some of your concerns, however I think some Christian romance authors really do get it right. For my own books, I prefer to say they are “romantic” rather than “romance” because they do look into complex relationships, and I try to dispel the very myths you’ve mentioned and lead people to healthy views on love and commitment.

I will say I’m saddened that you chose Laura Frantz as an example, because I think she is one of the authors who does romance in a positive way.

In answer to Kirsten’s question, it’s largely an issue of knowing the authors. But the longer the book, the more likely it is to have time to look into those complexities. Also, the more literary the tone of the book, the more likely it will not be catering to commercial standards.

Wow, this is a really surprising–and condemning–view on fiction. While I will agree that some fiction might be considered “fluff,” there are many–hundreds-of authors who write compelling stories that have changed hearts and lives. If fiction is so worthless, which is what it seems many here are saying, then perhaps one should examine that Jesus used fiction–remember the parables?–to make his points, to affect lives.

I am a fiction writer, and to see so many condemning an avenue God has provided to reach hurting hearts is just wrong. This line of dialogue also makes me wonder how many have really looked at the Christian fiction titles out there today, because there are some amazingly good and quality titles (and no, I’m not referring to my own). In my current series, I write about PTSD and our military heroes–with one intent: to open dialogue about a painful topic and to point to the hope of Christ. I provide truth mixed with a solid story. To say that’s taking a vacation from myself or creating an illusion couldn’t be more wrong–I am deeply invested in those stories with prayer, with countless hours of writing, editing, and with the goal that God will use that investment to help someone–perhaps someone who would not pick up a self-help or nonfiction book–find hope and healing–through Christ.

@Ronie,
I’ve tried twice to reply to your post and haven’t gotten through. I can’t imagine why. I think your words are right on the mark. You are serving God in a different venue, but it hurts to have fellow Christians reduce your God-guided words to fluff. Please don’t give up. You’re reaching hearts for Christ.

Diane AshleyMay 19, 2011

@Ronie, I couldn’t have said it better myself. I am saddened to see so many condemning fiction. For me, writing fiction gives expression to a talent I believe God gifted me with. IMHO Christian novels, no matter the genre, offer an uplifting and positive alternative to the choices available in the secular market.

@Ronie, I could not agree more. Recently I’ve been reading a lot more general Christian fiction and have found it to be well-written and edifying. Great examples are Words by Ginny Yttrup (a story about a young girl who is abused and an artist who has to find forgiveness and help the girl), Promises to Keep by Ann Tatlock (about a mother and kids who are fleeing from an abusive situation), and there are so many other great Christian fiction books out there that can reach people in a way nonfiction can’t.

I have to agree. I know the secular romance novels as a teen did impact me as an adult and exacerbated my search for love and approval. While the stories are nice the characters often are the same in a secular romance novel and so are the males. Love seems to bloom from you-know-where in the alpha-males and their impulses seem out of control. There’s no real relationship between them and in some secular romance novels the female never fights on her own or tries and is disarmed by the alpha-mail who insists that he do everything. Some secular romance novels try to change that, but in most cases it’s the same story.

Christian romance novels are different. Except for the Harlequin ones which are forced to be simple stories due to the shorter and smaller books. The characters like in Liz Curtis Higgs book, Here Burns My Candle, are complex and love is based on reality. Love is allowed to grow in Christian romance books based on similarities in each person and not on impulses.

Secular books don’t always show that a human being can exercise self-control and do the honorable thing. Kathleen Woodiwiss was the exception though as some of her books had the hero wait until after they were married though they battled their physical attraction to each other until then which in my experience is reality. I think sometimes the old fashioned way of having a chaperone held some common sense.

And on a side note…we are all responsible for the choices we make. It doesn’t matter who or what influenced you.

Of course, if men would put into the romantic relationship the same effort that women do, there wouldn’t be many “discontent middle-aged wives.” Instead of calling romance an illusion, guys, how about being a little more romantic? Read some good Christian romance novels to find out how.

@Sandy Dengler, Guys love differently. They are different than us. Some guys are romantic. Some guys have trouble with the words. It falls upon us to show them we love them and how we wish to be loved by them, but also to encourage them. But no guy can ever live up to a fictional character in a book. My guy for instance can carry guns and shoot a bow like Robin Hood. However, he’s not always going to bring roses home for me. He’s allergic. LOL. And I don’t ever want to see him wearing tights or a kilt or a stuffy suit. Okay, humor there.

I have to disagree with your remarks…First of all, you are suggesting that the average person can’t distinguish between fiction and reality. And you are forgetting that the imagination and dreaming and creativity are all gifts from God.

@Kit Wilkinson,
Very well spoken, Kit. I think some folks would do well to read a few more books written by Christians who share their Christian worldview and are gifted by God to reach the world for Him.

Stacey ZinkMay 19, 2011

@Kit Wilkinson,
Thank you! I am amazed to read all of these negative comments. I love my husband and the Lord, and I enjoy reading christian romance. Just because I enjoy a good book does not mean there is something missing in marriage. Give me a break!

@Kit Wilkinson, Thanks, Kit, for your defense of something dear to my heart. Hannah Alexander I so agree with you, that more should read Christian fiction. It certainly will challenge a person to move closer to the Lord.

Author JMay 19, 2011

I don’t care for romance novels. That said:

Every Christian does have a happily-ever-after ending. The best of the best–Eternity spent with the Lover of your soul. Stories have forever shadowed this concept in one way or another. A longing for true and lasting love (internal desire for God).

WARNING! Non-fiction books, including many Christian titles, can be more dangerous than fiction. Fiction is…well, fiction.

Authors of non-fiction claim that what they are portraying or telling is the TRUTH, or…non-fiction. How many times have you read these “truths” and something just didn’t feel right in your spirit? But they’re close enough to the truth that you keep reading, filling your mind with this non-fiction concept… and then living it out!

I write novels. My friends are romance writers with good hearts and wholesome stories. Often times these fiction stories will be the only taste of the Truth a pre-Christian will swallow because of the judgmental church.

Like everything else in the world, evil and good are at war. Books included. So don’t judge but instead start praying for Holy Spirit to inhabit deeper the heart of the Christian romance writer.

Can you please remove Laura Frantz’s cover from your article? I think the fact that you’re singling out her book as the premier example of what’s wrong with the whole Christian romance industry is unjust. Have you read The Frontiersman’s Daughter? If not, you would find that it tackles many issues such as racism, bitterness, resentment, pride, redemption, and forgiveness. Many people that would never listen to a sermon on any of those topics (and those readers that prefer fiction to non-fiction) will pick up this book and learn of God’s love. If you have read Laura’s book, and have found specific constructive comments, can I suggest that you contact her individually, as a brother in Christ is admonished to do? I think the pattern Jesus laid out in Matthew covers situations like these quite admirably. Laura is a very gracious woman and I have no doubt that she would be happy to dialgoue with you about why she feels called to write Christian fiction. As a Christian romance novelist mysef, I would be happy to do the same. Please feel free to e-mail me at [email protected]

@Siri Mitchell,
I whole heartedly agree, Siri! The inclusion of Laura Frantz’s historical novel shows how poorly researched this article is and I’m a bit insulted as a reader that Mr. Moore would insinuate that a work of fiction that includes so much more than a love story could be compared to a pornographic film.
In my reading of not just Frantz’s novels, but many other Christian themed works of fiction, I’ve found that many of these stories take great care to develop real and meaningful relationships between heroes and heroines, to make their relationships relevant in terms of faith as well as their time and place. Often times, these Christian novels can reach out to non-Christians readers in a way few other methods can to illustrate how loving God can work in harmony with having loving relationships with those in your life.
I kindly challenge Mr. Moore to explain to me how any of these things happen in pornography, and how these works can even be considered such.

Stacey ZinkMay 19, 2011

@Siri Mitchell,

I am wondering why he chose Laura Frantz’s cover. Thanks for posting, Siri. I agree with you and Heather.

Some of us are called to write books. If I weren’t right now, it would be sin since that is part of God’s call for my life.

I also believe as writers we have a responsibility to partner with God on what we right. As I’ve gotten to know hundreds of Christian authors over the last seven years, I can say we take that very seriously and there is truth in our stories. We try to continue Jesus’ sharing truth in parables, just as many pastors do each Sunday from the pulpit. Truth surrounded by memorable story is often more memorable.

For those of you who don’t like Christian fiction, have you read one lately? The field has changed dramatically in the last twenty years. More diversity in genres, styles, reality, etc.

Really? You’re making a comparison between pornography and Christian romance novels? Does anyone here remember Ted Bundy? I worked at Focus on the Family and I distinctly remember the conversations Dr. Dobson had with Bundy, specifically regarding how pornography can lead to violence toward women.

I’m sorry but you’re asking me to take a “huge leap of faith” to put these two subjects in the same category.

Stacey ZinkMay 19, 2011

@Merrie Destefano,

I completely agree! I am trying very hard to see how a person can even use the two terms in one sentence.

I write inspirational romance–for Barbour (novellas and Heartsong). In spite of their short length, I have dealt with issues such as the death of a child, crime, ptsd, natural disasters. . .my characters do not lead an easy life. Some romances are “fluff,” but many more are much deeper.

Interview ten Christian romance writers, and I guarantee that all of them will say some variation of the following: We believe that romance reflects the greatest romance of all–God’s love for us.

I started out writing hard-hitting nonfiction about abuse. God turned me into a romance writer, gave me a gift for exploring the relationships between men and women. My tag line reads “Writing at the crossroads of love and grace.” Through the romance, I show that God’s love is enough for whatever life holds for us.

Fiction makes us turn our eyes from Christ? I honestly don’t even know where to start. Anything, ANYTHING can make you turn from Christ. Why on earth would you choose to target Christian fiction, an area of ministry and outreach? As a Christian romance writer for women and teens, do you have any idea how many emails we Christian fiction writers get telling us of hearts touched and lives impacted? We weave the word and message of Christ into these stories through the package of entertainment/fiction. And you want to find fault with that?

Let me ask you, Mr. Moore, how many Christian fiction romances have you read that you would stand here offering your truth as an expert and judge? As someone who recently heard you speak on another matter entirely at my church, I am greatly disappointed and shocked at the Pharisee-like ignorance. It smacks of one who wants to decry a book like Harry Potter without ever having picked it up to read it. “Yeah, but I’ve HEARD it’s bad…” Really? I mean, really? Did Christ tell us to judge on things we’d “heard” or “assumed?” Is that the model he set for us?

Ministry comes in different forms, from preaching to music to writing to good works. Who are we to decry any of them without knowledge of them ourselves? Who are we to say, “Your ministry doesn’t count because it doesn’t look like mine?”

And finally, and most importantly, if a woman is not intelligent enough to differentiate between reality and fiction, then she’s got much bigger problems than being led to sin by Christian romance. God help her with the vacuous head you have all but stated she has.

It’s obvious you were just reaching for blog content, but this is like something straight out of 1750. Thanks for adding to the idea that we Christians are silly and irrelevant. Also let me make the heart-felt offer that if you would like to read some Christian fiction romance so you might know of which you speak, feel free to email me. My many writer friends and I would be glad to share.

Others have mentioned the valuable spiritual truths contained in the stories Christian writers tell. Like the parables of Jesus, they can sometimes reach the heart in a much more lasting way than a sermon.

Besides, are we to leave nothing for the world to read but stories told from a worldly/godless/evil point of view? There are plenty of them out there, constantly preaching a way that is not God’s.

Shouldn’t Christians be able to have stories that reinforce their beliefs? That show real people living in the real world dealing with real issues in a way that pleases God? Or showing them, when they fall, struggling on their way back to Him?

Should every story out there be about hopelessness, loss and death? I don’t think so.

I, too, am a Christian writer. I believe it is a call to minister as much as any Christian pastor or Christian singer or Christian artist. Is my work perfect? Of course not. But it has touched many lives, and most of them have told me that my books have made them consider better how they minister to their husbands in marriage.

From a reader of my historical romance: “My life has been in absolute shambles for two years…Through my despair I wandered through a bookstore…your books have helped me to remember the trials we all go through and if you put faith in God, it will somehow work out…they have given me so much hope, I can’t even put into words.” From another reader: “I was expecting to read some fluff…I was pleasantly surprised to find delightful reading coupled with deep theology and bedrock truths about our Father!” Other Christian novelists could share thousands more. It never ceases to amaze me how skilled God’s army is at shooting at one another. Maybe you don’t want to be in my regiment … but that doesn’t mean I’m not a faithful soldier of the cross.

Since you asked … I thought I would answer, both as a reader and a writer of romantic fiction.
To the first question, Is what I’m consuming leading me toward contentment with my spouse (or future spouse) or away from it? I would say undoubtedly that romantic fiction reminds me of my contentment with my husband by fortifying how wondrous it is to fall in love, and stay in love. If I were in an unhappy marriage, perhaps reading romantic fiction would remind me of my unhappiness, much as reading Song of Solomon would remind me. Is the book to blame for my unhappiness, or only pointing out what was already there?
Another question you asked, Is it pointing me to the other in one-flesh union or to an eroticized embodiment of my own desires? I’m not sure this question is relevant in Christian fiction where the physical aspect of falling in love is not glorified (although it is not ignored) there is so much more to Christian fiction. It sets an example of how romance is handled within a Christian worldview and is no less a ministry than other avenues that explore the human experience through the eyes of faith.
And the last question – Is this the mystery or a mirage? I would say the element of love is very much a mystery, one that makes falling in love something we all want to experience. Romantic fiction can remind those of us who have fallen in love, and are still in love, of that mystery. Does Christian fiction set up a mirage? Mirages are only dangerous when we believe something that isn’t there. Most readers of any kind of fiction are reading for entertainment and relaxation, an escape from the many demands we have. Being able to turn to something that doesn’t offend our values is a blessing, not something readers hold on to as if it’s a replacement of their real life. Christian fiction has come such a long way over the years. It truly is a ministry I’m happy to be part of.

I think there is a danger of women becoming too caught up in the wrong kind of romance books – and if they have sex in them, yes, they are doing the same thing as men do with pornography, in my opinion. And yes, there are some novels on the Christian market that go too far in some areas, but to lump all Christian fiction together and condemn it is wrong.

I’m a guy, and don’t read many romance novels, though I love suspense, so I will read Christian suspense novels with romance in them. I have struggles. Bad ones, struggles that most people don’t know about. Over the years, I have strayed and fallen many times to my “besetting sin.” There were times I wouldn’t touch my Bible for weeks, even months. But I love to read Christian fiction, and I can’t count the times God spoke to me through Christian fiction. For not all Christian fiction books are light fluff and a quick romance. Many address issues, show the power of God and how He can work in any situation, change any heart.

Should fiction take the place of the Bible? Absolutely not, but reading a good Christian novel is certainly better than watching a lot of the filth on TV – why not write about the kind of movies even Christians watch – why pick on Christian fiction?! Reading a Christian novel is certainly a better investment of my time than some of the things I have done over the years.

Some have made the point already, but it bears repeating: Jesus told stories to reach people. They are called Parables. As far as we know, these were basically “Christian fiction”, if you will. If Jesus could tell stories to reach people and give them hope or a message, than why is it so inconceivable to think that Christians today can write a story to do the same. And what is wrong with entertaining oneself with a clean novel anyway?

I think you need to read some of the great Christian fiction titles out there today before making blanket statements about them.

@Mark, thank you. I’ve long maintained that fiction opens doors that can’t be opened any other way. The Lord has touched me through CF many times, and I know I’m not alone in that. Jesus taught in parables long ago, and He continues to do so.

I think that there is definitely a danger involved in reading fiction novels (even some Christian), watching “chick flicks,” and watching sitcoms where the main male character is like you said, displayed as the “alpha male.”

Not only does this create discontent if your current living situation doesn’t “measure up” to what you feel it should be like, but many times our young ladies are setting themselves up for disappointment if they begin to “dream” about finding “that” man.

I’m confused by your article. I fail to see how it’s a negative that a book portrays a man as a strong Christian leader and shows couples praying together. If that’s a negative, then what do we do with those examples from the Bible? Throw them out because the biblical men we read about will make women long for something that does not exist in today’s world–a strong male leader?

Also, true romance is simply a portrait of Christ and her bride. God spoke the vow to us in His Word: “I [God] will betroth you to me forever; I will betroth you in righteousness and justice, in love and compassion. I will betroth you in faithfulness, and you will acknowledge the Lord.” (Hosea).

God created courtship and marriage as way of wearing His heart on His sleeve. Each time we read of a noble man wooing his pure-of-heart bride, we’re to be reminded of the One who pursues us. When people question the value of Christian novels and stories, belittling them as pure escapism. Well, I say, tell that to the Master Storyteller!

God recorded a wealth of dramas, adventures, and romances in the Bible. I love the stories of Ruth and Rahab and the good men who loved and claimed them. Plus, not all the stories in the Bible actually occurred. Wouldn’t parables qualify as Christian fiction? Are these accounts only for the purpose of hermeneutical analysis? Are they not there to touch our hearts?

C. S. Lewis stated my point in a much more academic way, “Literature adds to reality, it does not simply describe it. It enriches the necessary competencies that daily life requires and provides; and in this respect, it irrigates the deserts that our lives have already become.”

Allie PleiterMay 19, 2011

Should that concern me? As a wife, mother, reader, author, and woman, what concerns me MOST is when someone in a position of “authority” makes a completely misguided point without any substantial primary research other than to read a wide-scope sensationalist text and aim it at a single genre. You are way off the mark on this one, and I believe you owe Laura Frantz (and a hundred other Christian fiction authors of integrity) a genuine apology.

So here, in front of all your followers, I challenge you to 1) purchase Laura’s book 2) read it, and 3) come back with a thoughtful review instead of a wide-sweeping condemnation of an entire genre.

Wow. I think rather than attacking Christian fiction writers Dr. Moore is calling for discernment. I have read many defensive posts and even one that called men to be more like these characters because they are closer to what a godly man should be than a “real-life man”. And that men should consider this a “wake-up” call. For some reason that strikes me as backwards. This idea that women should hold their husbands to standards based on a fictional character that was not inspired by the Spirit of God (difference between Christian fiction and a parable). It is true that all sinful behaviors, thoughts, and emotions come from the human heart (Mark 7), so that needs to be dealt with with the gospel, but also true that we should guard our hearts from idolatry (and it can be very subtle, even idolizing our ideal of godly men). Calling men to be better men by comparison (even to the pastor) never worked, and never will work. While it is not the fault of Christian fiction that they idealize a godly man that ‘looks better’ than a “real life man” it is not the solution to call men to be better, or like those fictionalized men (even in the deepest parts of our minds-if not verbally). It is each spouse’s duty and privilege to model the gospel and Christ’s love toward one another and entrust God (by prayer and obedience) to change hearts. We must remember, there is such a thing as good Christian fiction (e.g. C.S. Lewis) and bad Christian fiction. What makes it good our bad depends upon how closely its ideology, worldview, and message conform to the word of God. Let us be discerning Christians that hold every thought captive to Christ (2 Cor. 10:5). If we have a biblical worldview then we will realize that even these fictional “godly men” are sinners that sin against God and against people (even those that are close to them). These fictional men (I feel silly writing this) need God’s grace. Christian fiction has its place but we must remember that we are called to imitate Christ and real godly men who show us how to trust in Christ. The Scriptures and the gospel conforms us to Christ’s image by exposing idols and illuminating truth. Therefore, Let us be gracious to our spouses and their shortcomings as God has been gracious and still is gracious to us. Let us not have or cultivate (with T.V., movies, or books) the attitude of the Pharisee in Jesus’ inspired parable that looks at the faults of others and thanks God that they are not like them, but better (even by God’s grace) (Luke 18:19-14). Let us have the attitude of the tax collector that pleads for his mercy and therefore walks away right with God.

Marbara StiversMay 19, 2011

As others have already noted, there is a great difference between “Christian romance novels” and Christian fiction. As a local church librarian (and a voracious reader) I have found many Christian novels, with a bit of romance, that have spoken to me and from which I have learned a great deal. History, geography, Bible stories, mystery, human nature: all are on display. Seeing how other Christians react to various circumstances can cause us to examine ourselves, our motivations, and our reactions. I just finished reading Liz Curtis Higgs’ 2-part series that tells the story of Ruth, set in 18th century Scotland. What a journey/vacation that was! I agree, there are those formula-driven novels that are christianized Harlequins and they should not be one’s steady diet.

Most Christian romance novelists I’m acquainted with are trying to do exactly the opposite of what this post portrays. They are trying to show that life is hard, that God is trustworthy, and that results can be good and satisfying even with imperfect relationships (or mates) in the equation. My own novel concerns a bad marriage finding redemption rather than a way out. Let me tell you, the husband is certainly no hero and he never even becomes a believer. As for the request above about taking Laura Frantz’s cover off this post, I would have to say that the particular book posted was my favorite novel of 2010, partly so because the character’s were flawed, imperfect people. Does that mean that there aren’t some Christian novels out there that cross the line of provoking sexual fantasy? There probably are, but that’s where personal discernment, conviction, and responsibility comes in for the reader. But let’s not throw the proverbial baby out with the bath water.

Margo CarmichaelMay 19, 2011

If God hates something, what business do I, His follower who loves Him, have being entertained by it?

Not romance. Sorcery. That is my objection to HP and Twilight. I don’t have to immerse myself in what He hates in order to judge that being amused by powers not from God is not right for me. Referring to Deuteronomy 18 and Galatians 5. The heroine in my WIP learns that the hard way.

But, back to the original point–what was it? : ) Romance and porn both give a wrong impression of relationships?

Secular and Christian romance and have evolved so much. The good stories have many heroes other than an alpha male. And depending on the style of the stories they sell, the houses require characters of depth with real problems and victories.

Readers can learn much from fiction, as advocated by Joseph Gold in _Read for Your Life_. And by the example of Jesus who taught with stories.

And let them balance it with non-fiction. (One source said not enough Americans understand Economics or the real issues of the day. So I’ve just ordered a book on the topic.)

Because people who don’t read are not much better off than those who can’t.

I join Siri in respectfully asking you to remove the cover of Laura Frantz’s The Frontiersman’s Daughter from your blog post. Linking it to this blog implies by the title of your post that reading her book could, in fact, hurt your heart. By posting the picture of her book here, you are alleging her book represents your point and this could possibly be considered libel.

“Libel: Anything that is defamatory or that maliciously or damagingly misrepresents.” -Dictionary(dot)com.

Mrs. Franz is a wonderful Christian woman who writes stories filled with grace and truth. The book you have pictured is, in fact, more of a coming of age novel than a romance. By including her cover in connection with this subject matter, you are misrepresenting her work and could damage the name of a sister in Christ. Clearly, you have not read her book or many other Christian romance novels.

Bart BarberMay 19, 2011

I strongly and sternly agreed with this post and objected to Christian romance novels. But my wife gently wooed me away from my overly harsh resistance, changing my mind forever and reconciling us, bringing out a tender side of me without compromising my general musky masculinity.

As a result of the changes that these events have made to my character, I can now say to all of your female readers: “Look at your man. Now look at me…”

@Bart Barber,
When you start your ‘Recovering Lumps On The Couch Twelve Step’ group, would you please invite Kevin to a meeting? After watching ‘Somewhere In Time’ (w/Christopher Reeve & Jane Seymour), I wistfully asked, “Would you travel across decades of time to be with me?” He muttered from his i-pad, “I might go across the street. If it’s not raining.” Good thing I like my heroes with a bit of sarcasm. :D

AnnaMay 19, 2011

What I found most interesting about this article is that it keeps focusing on the symptom, rather than the actual heart issue.
You can have two women sit down, and read the same book voraciously, finishing it in two or three days, and yet, if woman #1 has a wonderful loving relationship with her lord first of all, and also with her husband, she won’t be as likely to fall into the temptation to compare her husband with the hero. If anything, she might be more likely to pity the heroine, because the hero isn’t as amazing as her flesh and blood man.
On the other side, if woman #2 has a poor relationship, then she will be more likely to compare her husband with others, whether they are real or fiction.
To say that fiction is the only source for the comparison, ignores the other avenues including that one man at church opens doors for his wife, or even the neighbor who mows his lawn before his wife complains. That premise is missing out on the point that if a person is dissatisfied, he or she will look for greener grass anywhere, not just in a fictional book. It comes down to a heart issue, specifically, contentment.

Naomi RawlingsMay 19, 2011

@Anna,
Thank you so much, Anna. You pointed out what I had been thinking ever since reading Mr. Moore’s original post.

Many times the issue isn’t the Christian romance novel, it’s the readers heart. I believe two women can sit down and read the same novel. One can come away uplifted while the other comes away depressed and wishing for an alternate reality via a better relationship with her husband.

You could say the same thing about a gun. Most people use them for good. How many teenagers use guns when they go hunting with their father’s every fall? Yet if you look at the Columbine School shooting, you see massive tragedy. What causes one sixteen year old to use a gun to shoot a deer while the other uses a gun to shoot athletes, Christians, and classmates? That person’s heart.

You can uses pie the same way. There is nothing wrong with eating a piece of pie after Thanksgiving. But if you eat a whole pie every day, you have a problem with gluttony. The issue is not that pie exists, but what the eater does with the pie.

I write Christian romance, most of it is very well done and Christ honoring. Some Christian romance could probably be improved. But if a God-honoring woman reads a romance novel that emulates the wrong view of love, she won’t be affected by it, because she has a close relationship with God.

Mr. Moore, you incorrectly cast blame in your article. The problem is not that Christian romance is available. The problem, when there is one, is the hearts of the readers.

Terri OremMay 19, 2011

I am an avid reader of both fiction and nonfiction in many genres. While I am not a huge fan of romances, I would consider Laura Frantz’s “The Frontiersman”s Daughter” a good example of well written Christian fiction with believable characters, historical research done correctly and an underlying message of Christian faith. My father, who does not read normally romances or Christian fiction, picked this up one winter day (my mother was reading it) and read it. This is a man who is much more likely to read Allen Eckhart or Tom Clancy and he enjoyed “The Frontiersman”s Daughter”. It is a novel that can help your heart and therefore maybe not a wise choice for your blog example. I find Laura’s writing refreshing.
Any thing that a person lets become too important in their life can become a problem. If we let ourselves dwell on romance stories or become obsessed with characters it can hurt our hearts. If we let God use stories to turn our thoughts back to Him, they can uplift us. I do agree that many things that are out there are not of good quality or very realistic.
I do believe that the prevelance of superheroes, magic, vampires, werewolves, etc. in movies and books shows that people are hungry for something more than themselves. Let’s pray that Chriatian authors and script writers are inspired with new ways to reach them.

Dr. Moore, I’m sure you’ve been overwhelmed by posts on this blog, and are therefore catching up, which is why so many comments written by my friends have not yet shown up. My name is Cheryl Hodde, but I write with my husband, so we chose a pen name, which is Hannah Alexander. Hannah, because I identify with pre-Samuel Hannah in the Bible, and I’ve read that the name means “Her hope is in the Lord.” Alexander is Mel’s choice because he is a physician who ministers in the ER to needy people every shift, and we’ve read that Alexander means “Servant of mankind.”

We are Southern Baptist. I have been writing for 26 years, devoting my novels to God, seeking His will in my words. My writing is a ministry. In fact, I remember the day I was called by God to devote my writing to Him alone. It was much like the day I gave my life to Christ. So imagine my hurt and dismay when I saw the title and book cover of a friend of mine being maligned on a blog by a well-respected leader in the Southern Baptist convention. Imagine my amazement to see my work for God being questioned. Would folks prefer it if all fiction was written by secular writers? I believe heaven would have considerably fewer people if not for the ministers of God’s word in the field of fiction writing. Please consider what you have said, and the fellow-believers you have injured with your words. I ask you to reconsider what you’re doing with your much-read voice to the people.

Tim Downs spoke eloquently at the ACFW Conference last year about “story” (if my memory serves me correctly). He shared how Nathan confronted David. Instead of openly accusing David of murder and adultery, Nathan tells the story of the man with one ewe lamb that the rich man had stolen from him. A *fictional* story yet one that contained *truth* and a story David responded to with a broken and contrite spirit. *That* is the job of Christian writers of fiction–to convict the world, to prick hearts by being more *true* than the truth. Or, conversely, to offer comfort and compassion to those in pain. Be it sci-fi, romance, mystery, fantasy, or whatever. Are there Christian books that fall short? Sure, but all men sin and fall short of the glory of God. Christian writers are instruments in the hands of God. They must write as their consciences dictate!

When I think of the strengths of fiction vs non-fiction, I always think of pattern. Where non-fiction tells us what we should do to believe correctly or live properly, fiction patterns these truths by showing the lives of characters struggling to come to grips with these truths.

The thought of patterns is stronger than ever in Christian fiction. How does one handle a contentious family relationship or a broken promise? How does one learn to trust another or accept love? How does one deal with the fact that God didn’t seem present when a tragedy occurred? Novels show patterns that just might work in a real life, and Christian novels show the Lord’s impact on life. Of course no pattern works for everyone and every situation, but if a novel shows a pattern that helps one person deal with life’s difficulties, that novel has accomplished as much as a sermon.

Not everyone likes fiction. That’s fine. But for those who appreciate story and its power, it is a wonderful teaching tool. I write Christian ficion (disclosure here) because I love presenting ways that might help readers find their way through a tangle even as it encourages and entertains others.

I’m also a recent widow, and I tell you truthfully that when life becomes heavy, fiction helps me. It certainly doesn’t help more than the Lord or my family or my Christian friends, but it helps. It takes my mind to another place where things resolve. It takes me to a places where life is logical. And a story with a romance thread in it reminds me of how blessed I was to have had the man I had for so many years.

I completely agree with Gayle! The Scriptures tell us what we should do, and stories show us how its done. I write inspirational suspense novels. By creating believable, flawed characters who struggle with real-life challenges, I’m able to show the gospel being lived out (without preaching). I hear from readers every day whose lives have been positively impacted by what GOD has done through my characters. Never underestimate the power of story.

As a fiction editor and writing mentor, I find the “fiction is death” mentality (comment #9) a serious misunderstanding of communications media. Nonfiction describes frameworks of thinking in a sterile laboratory; good fiction is field research where we test those ideas against the mess of our fallen existence and our experience of God’s grace. If “the rest is words of death,” should I toss my antique volume of Jonathan Edwards’s sermons?

Comment #10 asks how we can discern fiction that makes a thoughtful examination of life and faith from fiction that doesn’t. My suggestion is that there’s no formula, and discernment is an individual matter commanded by God–we are to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, strength *and* mind.

Most of us know what matters to us in faith and life. One can browse searchable sites like ChristianBookDistributors.com, using keywords in order to help filter your search.

If there’s a particular issue that concerns you, try a Google search. Many authors are also concerned and using their skills to speak out.

–Tom Davis writes about the exploitation of women and children on the international scene–an area in which he’s also an activist.

–Mary DeMuth writes beautiful, heartwrenching stories about healing from deep scars such as past abuse and family breakdown.

–My colleague Marc Schooley writes about the problem of how great evil (such as the Third Reich) and a good God can coexist, and how struggling with that question can affect our faith. His work’s literary and Christian merit has been recognized with a Christy Award nomination.

–Another colleague, P.A. Baines, uses a fictional premise to tackle the question of whether Christianity is logically valid, a claim disputed by atheists and secularists. His work’s merit has been recognized with double finalist placement in the Indie Book Awards.

–Meredith Efken has written on the human impact of international adoption, estrangement from the faith perspective one grows up with, and the fears and struggles involved in forming a family unit out of broken human beings. Her book, “Lucky Baby,” is deeply, deeply thoughtful and full of beautiful literary symbolism.

–Many of the other authors responding to this post are expressing their heart for exploring a particular issue of choice.

What I hear from writers is that it’s a constant search for readers willing to join those conversations. Those of us working in Christian fiction would like to generate more dialogue, not suppress or sidetrack it. Writers are going an extra thousand miles to be accessible to readers–Twitter, Facebook, giving valuable time providing their wordsmithing for free access through blogging. As NYT bestseller Eric Wilson points out, nobody’s paid well enough for this to be all about the money.

All I could think of is how Jesus always taught in parables and without a parable He didn’t teach, and later told His disciples the meanings of the parables. (Mark 4:34) And He is the same yesterday, today, and always. (Hebrews 13:8) And I remember how in the 19’70s I felt the Lord leading me to pray for more Christian fiction writers to fulfill their calling so that He could reach more people. I’ve seen the answer to that prayer. Some of those novels seem like fluff to me – but they reach some people with the message of God’s love and a picture of what God wants in male-female relationships that they may not receive by looking at the Christians around them (sad to say.)

Interesting…as a writer, I’m trying not to feel slammed by some of the generalities, but I think some will take offense. Personally, I try to focus my books more on relationships (not just romance) and I try to show the ups and downs of getting along with the opposite sex in a realistic but hopeful manner. Because I write a lot for teens I want my stories to help readers to see romance in a healthy and hopefully balanced way–not sugary sweet or being rescued by their dream guy, but not all heartbreak and hopelessness either. It’s a tightrope walk. But I do like strong heroines and I like heroes who are just ordinary guys trying to figure things out and do the right thing. Kinda like life. Or so I like to think. But then I’m a fiction writer…. :-)

Justin CoplingMay 19, 2011

I am a lover of books – fiction and non-fiction, Christian and secular (secular to a degree, of course) – but I take exception to the Jesus’ use of parables as justification for writing Christian fiction.

Does anyone know why Jesus told parables? Was it to open the eyes of the blind and the ears of the deaf so that they could rightly perceive the secrets of the Kingdom of God? Was it so that people could better understand the meaning of His message? I’m guessing by the majority of the posts here that the answer would be, “Yes!”

In Mark 4, Jesus tells the parable of the sower. The disciples are so confused about the parable and Jesus’ use of it in ministry that, when they’re alone, they ask about their use. And what is Jesus’ confounding reply? It is this: “To you has been given the secrets of the kingdom of God, but for those outside everything is in parables so that ‘they may indeed see but not perceive, and may indeed hear but not understand, lest they should turn and be forgiven.'” (ESV) Did you catch that? The disciples asked Jesus why He was using parables and His answer was, “So that they will be ever-seeing but never-perceiving, and ever-hearing but never-understanding. Because if they perceived and understood, they would repent and be forgiven.” He spoke in parables so that those on the outside would NOT understand Him.

The massive theological implication of that text is a topic for another day, but suffice it to say: whatever your justifications for writing Christian fiction (and there are certainly valid justifications) please don’t justify your writing based upon the fact that Jesus used “Christian fiction” as an effective ministry tool. The parables of Christ served a unique purpose in a unique time and were used by a unique Person for a unique audience.

I’m speechless. My friends and fellow writers have said it all. My readers confirm what the rest of us know, Mr Moore. Our work has value. We help people turn back to the Lord. If I had time to tell you the story of my personal struggles, you would understand why I believe writing Christian romance is truly a gift from God. It is a gift that I respect and cherish. You would be wise to reconsider you views since you have obviously jumped to the wrong conclusion. We offer our readers entertainment and hope. We write stories of struggles and redemption. We are proud of our work. We do not need to defend it. Our readers tell us how much our words mean to them. We all remember falling in love. And that feeling has nothing to do with pornography. But it had everything to do with love. God’s love and the love between two people. Our readers are smart, faithful women. You have insulted them with your assumptions.

Raspberry KMay 19, 2011

The next I go to the book store, I’ll pick up a Christian romance novel and a pornographic magazine. I have a good idea which one will draw me closer to Christ and which one will probably end up destroying my marriage.

Kimberley WoodhouseMay 19, 2011

I’ve had emails from five people in the last three months from people who came to salvation because of my fiction (romantic suspense). While there may be a small point about inappropriate fiction and expectations, I am appalled at the condemnation and utter legalism. As a pastor’s wife, author of Christian fiction AND non-fiction, and speaker I’d like to share a phrase I heard a few years ago:
Legalism is a lack of faith in GRACE.
Please remember that God uses many venues to touch people’s lives and bring them to Himself.
Kim

AdrienneMay 19, 2011

I have read most of the comments, and I can see both sides to the story. I agree that romantic fantasies will lead a woman astray. But I also know that Christian romance fiction is sometimes the only way a woman reads about anything godly, and having an example from a Christian fiction novel is better than no example at all. I would caution women or any Christian for that matter to be on guard when reading things. I was reading a magazine today about health, and it promoted sex for a “rebooting” of who you want to be. I was shocked, tried to contact the company, but conveniently the only way of contact is by mail.
I do see how it would be wrong for a woman to read a romance novel and want her husband to be the hero. There have been novels I have put down because it centered too much on romance. I especially dislike the whole love at first site thing. And as for having a Laura Frantz cover in the article, her novels are usually more in depth to the character’s life rather than romance. I have read all of her novels, and they mainly deal with a character’s growth. But I also endeavor when I read Christian fiction to not see the fictional character as me or any of the other characters as should be’s in my life – a good article idea.

AdrienneMay 19, 2011

@Adrienne, * I meant it would be a good article idea.

JessicaMay 19, 2011

I think that the amount of women who objected to this post is hilarious. Very few men disagreed with Dr. Moore, while (us) women seem to want to hold on to that which tempts us. First, I want to iterate that I am an avid reader; I love literature so much that I got my undergrad degree in English! I enjoy good fiction greatly. However, I think that we (women) need to hold ourselves to the same standard to which we are holding our men. I feel very strongly that in the interest of submitting to and loving my husband, I cannot read these types of novels. My heart is already “deceitfully wicked.” I already have unrealistic expectations of my husband. I do not need a romance novel to help me indulge even further in my sinfulness.

@Jessica, I write Christian fiction–some that earns the genre description of “romance,” others of which do not, though all have love stories. My husband reads everything I write. Our marriage has been strengthened by sharing that–he’ll be the first to say so! The fact that more women are commenting on this may have something to do with the fact that more women read blogs, and Christian authors are linking to it. It isn’t about defending our addiction, it’s about not letting something that makes unfair assumptions go without challenge.

I know many, many men who would disagree with this–and I know they do because I’ve asked them, I’ve talked to them about it. Do they mind their wives and daughters reading Christian romance? Absolutely not. Perhaps because they know that Christian authors write their books on their knees, seeking God in every word. Sure, there’s going to be some lousy books out there. But lumping all Christian romance together and calling it destructive is like saying an entire race of people should be dismissed because a few committed a crime.

Here’s what upsets me most about this blog post: Let’s assume both Russell Moore and I were called to the ministries we believe that are (writing Christian romances and preaching/teaching God’s word). We’ll also assume that what we write/say has God’s stamp of approval and that we’ve correctly discerned God’s truth. What if, after listening to Russell preach about marital roles and responsibilities, a man goes home and abuses his wife. Is that Russell’s fault? Does God hold him responsible for how that man interpreted what Russell said or how he responded after hearing the sermon?…so does God hold me responsible for what my readers do, or think or feel, after reading my books because of what they think I said? (Remember, we’re assuming that we’re both correctly discerning and stating God’s truth…). Russell’s argument has a fatal flaw in logic.

-Siri

Cathy WillsMay 19, 2011

I do whole-heartedly agree that reading too many romance novels can foster discontentment with normal life.

But besides hurting the heart in this way, I also feel that reading much of this B-level fiction in general can hurt the brain and make it useless for any kind of serious reading, even well-written fiction. I know few Christian women who find themselves up to the task of reading the Brontes, Dickens, Anthony Trollope, Elizabeth Gaskell, Wilke Collins, even Twain, and the like. (We have a book club at our church, and when they were asked to read Jane Eyre, I think half of them just watched the movie.)

There is so much to be gained from the great authors who delve deeply into the human condition and who often bring their characters through great pain and tribulation to a realization of the sweet healing of the gospel. I find in these great novels that I am being constantly reminded of the hope of the gospel in various situations. And it’s done with creativity, humor, maturity, and understanding, served on a beautiful bed of sparkling prose. I find it sad that Christian women are not being encouraged to consume these enlightening, strengthening, timeless works, but rather shriveling their intellects with popular Christian and not-so-Christian fiction.

@Cathy Wills, I’ve read a great deal of “popular” and contemporary Christian fiction that is written with creativity, humor, maturity and understanding, served on a beautiful bed of sparkling prose. In writing popular Christian fiction, we are writing to the women who seem to be “incapable” of reading the classics. Those woman aren’t stupid. They simply have different tastes. Those writers who can reach different readers with different writing styles are spreading the word of Christ to different kinds of seeking souls.

Cathy WillsMay 21, 2011

It is my conviction that most of the people who are taking the time to read and understand Dr. Moore’s writings are seeking to improve their tastes and affections and intellects so that they will be better able to represent and honor and serve the Lord in their churches and in the world.

Naomi RawlingsMay 19, 2011

Mr. Moore, I join with Siri and the others who have asked you to remove Laura Fratz’s book picture from your blog. You couldn’t be more wrongly accusatory by that gesture. I would encourage you to put no picture up so that you do not single out one particular author. Laura is a wonderful, gracious, godly woman. On a professional level, I’m deeply disturbed that you would use Laura’s book, and on a personal level I’m extremely hurt for my friend.

Did you know, sir, that Laura’s book is not classified as a romance but as a historical? I encourage you to look at the label located on the back of the book above the ISBN. Please do more thorough research next time before you use your blog to do something damaging to a person’s career and livelihood.

Did you also know that in the book you have singled out, the main character, Lael, DOESN’T marry the young man she loves because her father disapproves? You should be encouraging the members of your congregation to read Laura Frantz’s book rather than lumping it in the same category as Twilight. It’s rather sickening to think you would compare the two.

You truly owe Laura Frantz an apology. Her email address is listed on her blog.

How did you pick Laura Frantz’s book to put up as your “poster child” for your essay? The Frontiersman’s Daughter happens to be my favorite Christian fiction book. Have you read it? By no means does it support your treatise. It is not a “romance” novel, although there is romance in the book and it is not in any way traditional, in my opinion.

As one poster pointed out, there are many nonfiction books that do far more damage than romantic fiction. I write romantic historical fiction.

On my own blog, “Overcoming through Time”.I review books and include the bibliotherapy aspects of novels, often romances. Almost all Christian fiction books include elements that can be healing for certain readers, e.g., stories about getting over a trauma.

I recently began working at a local used bookstore owned by some Christian friends of mine. Although they can’t filter everything that comes into the store, they do refuse to buy or sell certain genres such as horror or secular romance. The owner told me recently that he has never had a male customer get upset when he tells him he can’t accept their books because of content, but he has had several women get more than a little perturbed when he tells them he can’t accept their romance novels. After reading through the comments posted in response to Dr. Moore’s article, I can’t help but notice a similarity between the reaction of the women at the used bookstore and the ladies reading this article. The reaction seems unnecessarily strong, and I can’t help but wonder why. Instead of automatically rejecting Dr. Moore’s warnings, we as women would be wise to calmly consider whether there is any truth in what he has said.

Although many commenting seem to have ignored this point, Dr. Moore didn’t pull his thoughts out of thin air; he cited secular research noting the differences between male and female behavior online. Honestly though, I don’t think we need statistics to tell us where our hearts are naturally drawn–men like images; women like stories. Just as men must exercise discernment in the images they allow to captivate their imagination, so we as women must exercise discernment in the stories we choose to immerse ourselves in. All of the righteous indignation vented in the above comments brings to mind the famous Shakespeare quote, “The lady doth protest too much, methinks.” Are Dr. Moore’s warnings really so off base, or are they simply hitting too close to home? Knowing the sinfulness of my own female heart, I tend to think that the answer lies in the latter, rather than the former option.

While sorting books at my job, I am often disheartened and troubled by the high number of Christian or “Inspirational Romance” novels that come through the doors, while other genres such as Christian non-fiction, biography, or theology remains disproportionately low. I often wonder, how different would the church be if Christian women spent most of their reading time on books that drew their hearts into the deep things of God and His Word instead of on stories that are merely entertaining at best or dangerously tempting at worst? As we consider this question, I think we as women need to think not only about the negative things that might be happening in our hearts, but also the positive things that probably aren’t happening because of our reading choices. We’re far too quick to ask “What’s wrong with it?” than we are to react biblically by asking instead “What’s right with it?”

Just as men need encouragement to guard their hearts in regard to lusting visually after women other than their wives, so we as women need encouragement to carefully guard against the emotional lust that seems far more acceptable in our culture. Male fantasies may seem repulsive to us, but I’m fairly confident that God is no more pleased by our female fantasies.

Thank you, Dr. Moore, for addressing this issue; we need to hear warnings like this!

@Melissa Griffin, many of the women who have responded to this post are not romance readers. They are romance AUTHORS. I am priviliged to count many of them as my friends.

I’m fairly certain that I’m speaking for all of us when I say this. We do not object to people doing soul-searching on their own and deciding whether or not they can read a romance. That’s how it should be done.

What we object to is the attitude that seems to be prevalent in many of these comments. The attitude that the gift God gave us and the ministry He has called us to is a grievous sin. We’re not supposed to judge each other, yet that is precisely what’s happening here. Romance authors are being judged for the gifts that God gave us. Would you rather we violate Jesus’s commandments and hide our lights (gifts) under a bushel?

I don’t know what your God-given talent is. But if someone told you that that talent was a sin, how would you react? About the same as us, I’d guess.

No one has the right to tell a fiction writer that the gift God gave them is a sin. No one.

Kelly RopsonMay 20, 2011

@Melissa Griffin,
Christian fiction’s “best” is not entertainment. I learn just as much spiritually from reading Christian Fiction as I do Christian Non-Fiction. Theology is great, biographies are great… but those aren’t the only venues God uses to reach/teach people. I read through stacks of non-fiction and fiction yearly, and I can honestly say that I am moved and changed equally by both.

I think it’s misguided to dismiss all Christian romance as marriage-destroying pornographic junk. I think there is a distinct difference between edifying Christian romance and non-edifying or destructive Christian romance. Romance is one of my least favorite genres anyway, so I haven’t read widely of Christian romance, but what little I have read indicates to me that there are two categories of Christian romance: 1. The secular romance novel “Christianized” with a few prayers or references to God sprinkled here and there in between scenes that may not be sexually explicit, but certainly display a lot of heavy sexual tension. These novels tend to have the aforementioned alpha-male heroes and gorgeous feminine heroines. 2. The Christian romance novel which encourages readers to love and accept their spouse the way he is or illustrates God’s love for us. I like to call these “grace saturated” novels because God is not just a side-thought. If you removed him from the story there really wouldn’t be a story left. I haven’t read it yet but from reader reviews and recommendations from spiritual leaders I respect (Randy Alcorn for one) Francine Rivers’ books, particularly Redeeming Love falls into this category. The novel version of Fireproof would be another good example.

Granted, I think that the type 2 Christian romance novels are the minority, but they do exist, and I think making overarching characterizations of the genre is unfair to those few authors who use romance to really glorify God and promote a healthy view of relationships. The bottom line is, we need to use discernment and not read anything (generally regarded as edifying or not) if we have a tendency to be drawn to sin because of a particular type of story.

A lot of other people have used the word “lumping” to describe what’s going on here, and I kind of agree. Am I going to leap to the defence of Christian romance novels as the height of artistic achievement? Hardly. Certainly we can do better from the standpoint of excellence. But am I going to equate them with _Twilight_? No. That’s an entirely different category.

I think we’re suffering from over-simplification when we start acting like _Pride and Prejudice_, _Love Comes Softly_, and _Twilight_ are all part of the same thing. That’s radically over-simplified. We need more categories here. There’s the “dangerous and deceptive junk” category (_Twilight_), the “you could probably be spending your time better by reading something else, but this is pretty harmless” category (_Love Comes Softly_ and the majority of “Christian romance”), and then Jane Austen is like that “something else” which would be a better use of your time because it’s really excellent fiction, and it doesn’t present a one-dimensional view of reality.

Mandy WadsworthMay 19, 2011

Mr. Moore,

First of all I am greatly offended by your remarks about comparing “soul depraving pornography” and “Christian Romance fiction” together. Have you ever read any of these books that you consider to be such a waste of time? After reviewing some of the responses from other people here, you should know that several of the BEST Christian Fiction authors have responded to your blog. Many of these authors write under very respectable publishers (i.e. Bethany House Publishers, Tyndale…etc.).

Here are my personal answers to your questions:
“Is what I’m consuming leading me toward contentment with my spouse (or future spouse) or away from it?” I am a single woman in my early thirties and I have a God given dream to one day meeting a godly man and be his wife and the mother of his children. Having read one series my Gayle Roper and Laura Frantz’s books, I can honestly say that I hope to meet a godly man with some of the strong and good characteristics of the men in their books.

“Is it pointing me to the other in one-flesh union or to an eroticized embodiment of my own desires?” I find that these Christian Historical authors have many biblical themes throughout their books and they are pointing us their readers to follow God’s commandments. Recently I just finished Liz Curtis Higs series based on the book of Ruth and that made me think more about my life and reminded me that I should be in prayer for my future husband and where I can improve in my walk with God before He fulfills the desires of my heart. God should be our focus not our personal desires. No, reading Christian Romance does not make me lust after a man!

“Is this the mystery or a mirage?” I believe that as I continue to pursue my walk with Christ that He will lead me in the mystery of this life and not a mirage.

I also agree with several other responders, Mr. Moore that you should take Ms Franz’s book off of your blog and you owe her an apology. Also, before you start to criticize Christian fiction in the future, you should read it first and get your facts straight!

As an avid reader of Christian fiction, I cringed when I saw the title of this post, for even more than I love a good historical novel, I love this blog. I was just waiting for my husband to call and taunt me, as my “Christian” fiction has been a source of banter between us for years. (Good banter, not “lump on the couch” unheroic and/or mean-spirited banter).
I cringed a little more when I saw Laura Frantz’s cover next to the article, as I just (and I mean JUST) purchased this book from Amazon!
However, upon reading this article, I was not in the least bit offended. If you follow this blog at all, or if you have read any of Dr. Moore’s books or listened to any of his sermons, you know that at the heart of all of his writings and teachings is a desire to help and to instruct the body of Christ. This is not a judgmental or unresearched man…
In his article, he makes it very clear that he does not fully agree with the book he cites in the first portion of this article. He then makes it very clear that romantic fiction is not necessarily morally equivalent to pornography. And THEN he begins his discussion on “Christian” fiction. But it seems as if the simple layout of his thesis was missed by many who may have grown defensive before they even got past the title and then the word “pornography.”
Here is what I (remember, a longtime fan of Christian fiction) gleaned from this article:
Not an attack. Not a judgment. Not a burning of the straw-woman Christian fiction author and all her readers. And definitely not an unresearched and desperate attempt at an interesting blog post. He, with the heart of a pastor, is simply asking people like me a question: “Ma’am (because Dr. Moore is from the South), do the Christian fiction books you read make you discontent in your marriage?”
If they do, then by golly, you’d better rid your house of them, and fast! If they don’t, then…great!
Thank you, Dr. Moore, for causing me to put my Christian fiction book down for a second and examine my heart. For as much as I enjoy reading the creative works of Christian authors, I appreciate even more being held accountable by men who love the church and long to see it pure and its marriages thriving.

@Lesley Gore, I agree 100% that we should all ask ourselves that question, and that if fiction makes us have wrong expectations, we ought to put it down. What upset me about this article was that it didn’t seem to be addressing the Christian romance I know and love, but rather mainstream romance . . . which made me wonder if Mr. Moore has ever read a Christian romance that he was addressing, or whether he was taking an opinion of mainstream romance and then applying it to the Christian genre without considering that those heroes are NOT often built on the same archetypes (and often when they are, it’s to address this very problem, not to add to it) and that there is a lot more to the genre than he gave it credit for.

Honestly, I’ve had conversations with people who have sworn off fiction for a time, and I fully agree with their decisions to do so. But I didn’t see anything in this article that points out the other side–the hearts changed through fiction, the marriages strengthened–and that’s what I find upsetting. That Mr. Moore may in fact be saying “If this isn’t a problem for you, great!” but it had the tone of “If you struggle with it, than I guess it can be okay” rather than pointing out there is actual WORTH to Christian romance.

All the estrogen seems to be clogging up the comment feed; I can see that there are over a hundred comments now, but am not able to have the blessing of reading each and every one. So forgive me if I’m commenting somewhat “blind”. But reading a piece at the TGC blog on ignorance about historical theology made me remember this post. Why? Because as I followed what comments I could, the overarching thought I had was that if more churches encouraged and affirmed their people in the genuinely biblical discipline of reading (and especially women, this post would not exist. Because the entire genre to which Dr. Moore has gently referred would not exist.

Maybe that’s messing with some of ya’ll idols a little more, but there it is.

@Rachael Starke, I’m not sure I understand what you’re saying. Are you implying that if we were more Biblically grounded, there wouldn’t be Christian fiction? I have to disagree. Humanity tells stories–it’s how we relate our history, our beliefs, our morals. VERY often, we choose fictionalized stories, because they are more convenient for the point (not taking sidetracks, that is)–and because our memories are flawed, and we may inadvertently fictionalize something we intend to be accurate. Using a “what if” to teach and share and, yes, entertain is perfectly valid.

I think in terms of stories. When reading my Bible or studying theological texts, I turn it into stories to help myself really internalize it. I’ve studied more of the reading that I think you’d advocate than a lot of people I know, and THAT is what I draw on when crafting fictional stories.

Moreover, we don’t live in a perfect world. If no one committed crimes, we wouldn’t need law enforcement. But we certainly don’t blame the police officers for being needed. If everyone had perfect faith, maybe (maybe) we wouldn’t need fiction. But since we don’t all have such perfect faith, I think we ought to give kudos to the writers who dedicate their lives toward sharing the Truth of the Lord’s love through stories that appeal to those who so need that Truth. Christian fiction edifies me and points me back to the Lord just as a well-crafted sermon does. I believe there is room in our world for both, and that God knew that when he called so many wonderful Christians to be novelists. =)

DEEP BREATH, EVERYONE.
I’ve read the post and the comments here with interest, but that interest has grown to alarm. This comment area has turned into an emotions-laden face off.

Let’s everyone just breathe for a minute. The world is supposed to know we belong to God by the love we show for one another. So what can we do, right now, to show love and respect to each other despite very different viewpoints?

As a woman who has fought to see loved ones freed from the poison of pornography, and seen the devastating effects of it, I thank you, Dr. Moore, for the protective heart I hear behind your words. I believe you have a heart to see people guarded from temptation and free from bondage. That’s an honorable vision and I respect you for it. May God bless you with wisdom as you fight for His people.

As a woman who has dedicated the last ten years of my life to the support of Christian novelists, and seen the hand of God move through their work, I thank you, novelists, for your commitment to write stories flooded with truth and grace, through which God romances and draws His people. There are many voices, many opinions in this world. May you hear His voice, first and always, and stand secure in His affirmation as you serve Him with your talents.

To any man who has felt not good enough, and has felt that he has had to compete for his wife’s affections against movie stars, sports stars, or novel heroes that overshadow him, I say don’t lose heart. Smart women will take a clumsy but true-hearted, real-life man over a made-up one, any day.

To the women struggling in loveless marriages, who read romance novels and feel despair because their lives are so far from the storybooks, I say, take courage. God is writing your story, and it isn’t over yet. I know, because I was a wife forsaken, but God wasn’t done with my plot line.

On the topic of romance, Dr. Moore, I propose that true, committed, eternal love isn’t a female fantasy. I suggest that the longing women (and men) have for true love is Divinely wired into us from the day of our birth. We were uniquely formed with eternity in our hearts. The longing for Happily Ever After is part of that.

As marriage is meant to represent Christ and His church, so true, committed love is God’s will for us. If a well-written story showcases two people, living out God’s honorable, sacrificial love in this way, perhaps this is modeling the way God wants a relationship to look, rather than presenting a destructive fantasy? Perhaps if more people turned their focus to books where the characters pray together, rather than rip each other’s clothes off, our society might be inspired to greater depth in our relationships– with God and each other.

Now I will say, if women choose to drown their already-existing sorrows in lust-driven, Fabio-style bodice ripper novels, they will clearly, CLEARLY not be inspired to God’s will. As a young girl, I stumbled into the bodice-ripper romance section of my small-town library, and was utterly scandalized.

I still remember one graphically written scene, and I read it once, TWENTY YEARS AGO. So you’re right about the power of erotic words to slime us women. Thank you for pointing this out, and for having a heart to protect those you care for from this! Women need to be wise in what they choose to read, because words speak to us on a deep level.

But I appeal to you to consider that all romantic stories are not pornography for women. If that was the case, we’d need to hack out at least two books of the Bible :) At my darkest times, books by Christian romance authors have reminded me that there was hope and that God is a God of love, power, truth, and grace.

Dr. Moore, just as you have a passion to encourage and protect the audience God has given you, so I have seen Christian novelists work and pray and sacrifice to share God’s hope with their audiences. They use a different delivery vehicle than you do, but their callings and their passion for God are every bit as real.

I’ve read your Twitter comments, and I know it’s probably been painful and overwhelming to be deluged with so much intense feedback. I’m sorry if you’ve felt mobbed. You are a brother in Christ, beloved and priceless to Him. And I believe behind your words beats a sincere heart for good.

But please understand that the intense response you’ve received comes from the reality that to these authors, you aren’t just questioning the worth of Christian fiction, you are questioning their calling, and their partnership with God and the written word, through the vehicle of fiction. Invalidating someone’s calling is a rough thing to do.

The wonderful thing is that everyone here— Dr. Moore, the authors, those with viewpoints on both sides—has something worthwhile to say. In the counsel of many wisdom is established, and I feel confident that if we listen to each other, stay committed to being known for our love for each other, and treat every person’s thoughts with respect, we’re all going to grow wiser and deeper through this dialogue.

Thank you, Dr. Moore, for offering this venue for discussion. As commenters we are guests in your online house, and I appreciate you allowing so many to express their opinions.

Chris IrwinMay 20, 2011

Shocked to see you have chosen to put my sister’s book cover as the example for your article’s focus.

While I have no problem with you expressing your thoughts through your blog, the fact that you’ve chosen this particular cover does two things:

1. It undermines your credibility because you are linking it to a book that is totally the opposite of what you are asserting.

2. It then slanders the book and author by linking it to something that you assimilate with porn.

I’m sure my sister is too gracious to respond: I will only say that due to the above, you should reconsider using this cover and recognize that because of this link you are slandering someone online.

As a historical fiction writer, my sister spends countless hours in research to lend credibility to her work and to honor God. As a pastor and missionary in Spain, I’ve invested hours of study in order to know the people and their culture and thus be able to responsible enter their lives. I’m sure you normally would do the same, but unfortunately this blog post betrays you.

Sarah C. SleetMay 20, 2011

@Chris Irwin,

Well, said. Chris. Glad you commented as graciously as you did. I don’t disagree with Dr. Moore’s thoughts in general. I too was mainly bothered that he chose my cousin’s book to illustrate his point. (Love you Laura). It was proof positive he hadn’t read the book he’d chosen to represent his post.

Glad to see he’s changed the image. Would love to hear that Laura gets an apology whether he chooses to read her book or not.

This post saddens me. CAN Christian Romance hurt one’s heart? Certainly–so can going to church. Should some stop reading it? Certainly, because those people need to focus on their own hearts. But what I didn’t see addressed in the post (though certainly it has been in the comments!) is that there is genuine WORTH to Christian Romance too. Not that it may just be “okay” for some people who don’t have these problems, but that it’s genuinely worthwhile. Genuinely God-seeking. Genuinely life-changing in POSITIVE ways for many–most–of its readers.

I know some people who are led astray by music, who get caught up in the sound of a Christian artist and don’t get the message behind it. But the musician is usually still following God’s call, touching many, many lives. I think it only fair to give them credit for that. So should we give the Christian romance writer credit for all the good he/she does, and not just offer the questions that lead to condemnation.

Bad can be found in anything, and certainly we need to be aware of it, watch out for it, and take stock of our own hearts. But please also point out the good–not just the neutral, but the GOOD–in Christian Romance. It entertains, yes. It also saves. It edifies. It encourages. And it challenges. That is what words are meant to do.

It’s unfair to dismiss an entire genre, and all the Godly people who write it because it is their calling, just because some people don’t have the heart to receive it. Some people sit through sermons and then go home and twist it to do wrong. As another commenter pointed out, that is a fault within the heart of the receiver, not in the giver. Yes, we need to be sure we are not one of those people. But please, let’s not forget the other side. The pastor who prays, sweats, and cries over his messages and his flock–the writers who pray, sweat, and cry over their novels and their readers.

Hannah MillerMay 20, 2011

I don’t agree with this at all. Fiction, including romantic fiction, is one of the many ways that we can change and shape the world around us. I am 19 years old, I have been reading romance novels since I was fourteen. I read them with the knowledge that this is a made up story. It’s like watching a movie, you know it’s not real but the crazy stunts and explosions are cool none the less. I know that the characters in a novel aren’t real. I know that in real life they make mistakes(they usually do in the novels that I read too). And I know that I will never meet a guy who is perfect (if he is the one God has chosen for me than I know that he will be my perfect match). BUT, Christian fiction doesn’t make me feel like I need a man like that in my life. Instead, I see a deeper thread portrayed throughout the novels a read. I see characters who are willing to wait for the one God has chosen for them. I also see characters who struggle with hardships in life but in the end, after they have placed their trust in God, are able to have a happily ever after. This is the same for us, if we are willing to do God’s will, then we too will have a happily ever after eternally in heaven.
I don’t agree with this blog at all. Even Jesus spoke in stories. Fiction is just a colorful and pleasant way to learn. I, myself, am an author and I believe that God has given me this gift so that I can build up and encourage other people through my fiction.

I am posting this for Laurie Alice Eakes, a multi-published award winning author of inspirational fiction who is also blind. This site is not easily accessible to her. Dr. Moore’s comment is listed first followed by her reply.

Dr. M: “How many disappointed middle-aged women in our congregations are reading these novels as a means of comparing the “strong spiritual leaders” depicted there with what by comparison must seem to be underachieving lumps lying next to them on the couch?”

LAE’s response: Wow, this line made me have the best laugh yet today it so puts the lie to your post, sirrah.

If women are reading romance novels and making a negative comparison to what you’ve stated above, then I’d say the romance novel and the women are definitely not the problem. If he is a lump on the sofa beside them and not the interactive spiritual leader God’s Word orders him to be—read Ephesians lately, for example?—then I’d say the men need to start reading their bibles if not their wives’ romance novels so they know that they are the problem, not the printed word.

And for the record, Christian romance novels led me back to the Lord after many years of wandering in some serious darkness and sin. I met Loree Lough right after she sold over half a dozen novels to Heartsong Presents (Barbour), so bought a couple and read them, related to the struggles’ of the heroine of one, found more by other authors, and answered the call to come back to the Lord and write Christian fiction myself.

At a book signing in Arlington, TX the other day, a lady walked into the store and said, “You have been such a blessing to me,” and she hadn’t even read one of my books yet. No, before coming to the signing, she’d read things I’d written online and interviews with me, venues for sharing my testimony and faith journey given to me because I am a writer of Christian romance.

The books are only part of my ministry, and I am saddened by the mostly males here, who decry romances so much because you could learn a great deal from them about how to be what God has called men to be—a spiritual leader loving their wives emotionally, spiritually and, dare I say it, physically, not a lump on the sofa with a TV remote in hand.

Heather AshleyMay 20, 2011

I’d like to title this reply “Can Reading Blogs Waste Your Time”? :) Sorry, but I just can’t get over how much TIME has been virtually wasted by people READING this blog and taking the time to comment! Am I a hypocrite?! Absolutely, because I got just as sucked in as the rest of you and had to read and comment and have wasted much of my morning, but I just had to make that point.

I think Dr. Moore makes an interesting point to consider. ANYTHING we do, say, watch, read, listen to, etc. can hurt our hearts and I can appreciate his attempt to have us adequately judge what we take in and spend our time doing. We can be “hurt” by facebook, twitter, a blog, a book, a movie, etc. Much of the time the content isn’t what’s damaging to us, it’s more of where we are in our own life and walk with the Lord and WHY we are doing what we’re doing: listening, reading, watching, etc.

I would venture to say that most men don’t just wake up one day as porn addicts. Over time, usually through some hurt, unmet expectation, failed relationship, or something else, they fall deeper and deeper into an addictive behavior that can destroy their lives because they are searching in the wrong place for something to fulfill them or bring them joy and contentment.

Many women CAN do the same thing with romance novels, yes, that is a very true statement, whether the novels are Christian or secular. What I’d like for us to consider is that if a woman (or man) can “hurt their heart” by reading a book, chances are their heart is ALREADY hurting and looking for an answer, or maybe even an escape from the pains of life.

Many times we spend WAY too much time reading the words of man (or woman) and trying to find our comfort and solace in what a man or woman says, whether that be by a blog, facebook comment, book, movie, etc. We have to remember that our ONLY source of TRUE lasting contentment and joy rests in knowing our Savior intimately. We must spend time with Him, pouring over the Scriptures and praying for insight. It doesn’t matter if you’re the greatest theologian alive, or a poor “just struggling to figure it all out” Southern Baptist girl like me, we ALL struggle from time to time and have our own “worldly” ways of coping, even when we KNOW where we need to go to find that comfort. The key is to not go too far in that and remember where we must go and find our answers for life, and that is in God’s word through time and prayer with Him.

One of my closest friends is an author and has posted a reply to this blog. Her blog this morning is what drove me here. She is a compassionate, caring, fun loving girl who has a heart to see young girls, and young women, come to know the Lord. She works in a public high school where her ministry of writing has touched many. As a fellow public school teacher, many of my students have been introduced to who God is by the pages of her books. As “off” as I’m sure some may find that to be theologically speaking, our witness for Christ doesn’t always have to be carrying around our 20 pound KJV and quoting “All have sinned and fallen short…”. It can be as simple as, “Hey there. I know you’re going through a hard time. Read this book and let me know if you have any questions.”. You’d be amazed at the number of students I’ve had come back to me and say, “Tell me more about Jesus”. I want to know him. Or “Will you pray for me? I need God to work in my life like He did for the character in this story”. Through these “novels” I’ve been able to talk to and point students to Scripture for what they are going through, the death of a parent, a divorce, a wayward sibling, etc.

I truly believe my friend is answering the call God has placed on her life to write books from the stories on her heart, that quite honestly, I believe He’s put there. I think He receives great glory from her books leading people to a closer walk with Him. She may never be famous or well known on Earth, but I am confident that in Heaven, we’ll all be astounded by how many different ways God’s used to reveal Himself to others, and some of those ways might be through the writings of Christian novels.

I respect Dr. Moore and his opinions, but truly hope that as Christians we all start seeking God more and the word of man less. If I figured up all the time I spend reading blogs, facebook status and comments, twitter feeds, newspapers, magazines, etc. and compare that to how much time I spend in the Word, the results would not be pretty. NOTHING is wrong with ANY of those things, but when they take away from our time with the Lord, we need to re-evaluate.

The numerous Christian authors I know see their writing as a calling. Like Janette Oke, we view our work as a ministry and our books as paper missionaries.

I write Christian romance novels and I’m a Southern Baptist pastor’s wife. Before and during each book I write, I ask God what story He wants me to tell. My mission is to witness to non-believers and strengthen and uplift Christians with Biblical truths surrounded by issue laden plots that point the reader to a relationship with Christ. Why I write: I want my readers to realize love doesn’t conquer all, Jesus does.

@Shannon Taylor Vannatter, How wonderful to read that a SB pastor’s wife is writing Christian romance novels. I can imagine how many seekers are being fed, and souls led to Christ, through your work. Bless you!

Unfortunately, some secular romance novels have given “romance” a bad name, often equating the term with erotica. Christian Romance is far different. College professor Lynn S. Neal, author of Romancing God: Evangelical Women and Inspirational Fiction wrote: “Romance is not just an encounter between lovers, but a triangle of affection: man, woman, and God. Although this literature is often disparaged by scholars and pastors alike, inspirational fiction plays a unique and important role in the religious lives of many evangelical women. ”

Most Christian authors view their writing as a ministry, as do their readers. Many of the heroes, and heroines, in these novels are flawed characters who have a a spiritual journey to make. They do not always choose well and the author endeavors to show these struggles and develop them in such a way that they turn to Christ for redemption and reconciliation. If the response to some to the content of Inspirational Romance is disapointment in their spouse by contrasting the heroes to their own would be hero, they are missing the mark on the true hero of the story and their lives, their Maker, the Lover of their Souls. I don’t believe the issue is the novel she is reading, but rather her own heart, and if so, her discontent may prove in other activities she participates in as well.

The other book on the night table that you mentioned, the Bible, has many illustrations and verses
pertaining to the characteristic traits relevant to spouses mentioned in Ephesions, Proverbs, 1 Peter, 1 Corinthians, etc. Contrasting the ideal to the actual marriage relationship could leave one wanting as well. If women recognize the shortcomings of their husbands, and of themselves, when contrasting their beloved’s true nature to the ideal implored by the scriptures should they discontinue reading this book? To the contrary, they are admonished to read the full councel of God’s Word all the more.

That, too, is the message in Christian Romance as found in the prose as well as Bible verses within the novel. Christian Romance is like a fine tapestry woven with not only the threads of a love story, but with many inner and external conflicts and victories throughout. These prove to be not only interesting to the story, but serve as further illustrations to the reader. These novels often show appropriate ways women should wish to be treated when they are courted and proper behavior between couples before and after marriage. It is also possible that when reading these novels that a wife might also recognize wonderful character traits in the hero that might renew an appreciation for similar qualities she sees in her own husband. Since the focus of the books are more often on the heroine, she is probably more inclined to relate that character to herself rather than compare the hero to her husband, if she has one. Women reading this type of fiction have often found help, hope, and encouragement for the many relationships they have in their lives. Perhaps they have even become better wives, and women, and even turned to Christ as a result of reading them.

“In evangelical love stories, the success of the hero and heroine’s romance rests upon their religious choices. These fictional religious choices, readers report, often inspire real spiritual change in their own lives. Amidst the demands of daily life or during a challenge to one’s faith, these books offer a respite from problems and a time for fun, but they also provide a means to cultivate piety and to appreciate the unconditional power of God’s love.” – Lynn S. Neal, Romancing God

I was shocked to learn my friend Laura Frantz book was used as an example for this blog of porn vs. Christian novels. Of all the books to use as an example this was one of the furthest from what you were exampling as you could have gotten. I’m glad you took the picture of her book down, but believe in using it and defaming her you need to apologize to her for doing so. I understand that women need to be aware of the dangers of using a measuring stick for the men in their lives as do men with the women in their lives. We can be disillusioned easily and the enemy works endlessly to trip us up. Before I became a Christian I read Harlequin romances and so know what you are referencing. However, bringing in the Christian novels with their prayer instead of sexual content as the pornography of Christian women is unconscionable. If we use God as our measuring stick, which we grow up told in church to do, our husbands never measure up either. Will you attack that next? If you take out the Christian market and novels what does that leave on the shelves? Graphic vampire novels? Intimacy of angels and women novels? Have you walked through your local bookstore to see the other side of the aisle lately? I have. The Christian novels you so slam here are the outreaching of a personal mission of the writers to reach those who need to be encouraged by a better life being brought to them through the pages of a fictional work. I believe you need to stop taking pot shots at your fellow warriors.

@Pamela Nees, While your point about having the same excitement for the scriptures may be valid, I think some Christians are in danger of becoming so pious and legalistic that we fail to recognize the value in any work. It’s like those people who look down on contemporary Christian music during service and say hymns only are socially acceptable. At one point, they were new, too. I believe it was the Lord of the Rings trilogy that also had sorcery. Should we ban those books?

I actually loved the scene where it was explained in the movie of Harry Potter (can’t remember which one) that evil couldn’t touch him because his parents died for him to save him from the evil one. The Bible and fiction are two separate things. The Bible requires more thorough reading with the notes and in context. Fiction allows a different sort of enjoyment. Some may accidentally or purposely allude to God or the Bible.

Yes, we should honor Jesus with our choices and our life, but all of us will fall short and someone will always have an opinion about what we should read or watch on television. A friend of mine with a PHD read everything so she can be better armed to out-debate the militant atheists who want to disprove God. She wanted to be well informed what was out there in the literary world.

I learned a long time ago not to jump on the Christian band wagon, but investigate it for myself. So I see nothing wrong with Harry Potter. I’d be more concerned with those readers of the author of Angels and Demons whom people began believing his stuff was true than silly Harry Potter with its cute characters and enduring plot points and that moving staircase.

mary kMay 20, 2011

dr. moore …
1. there’s a bunch of us in a far-away mission field, struggling to survive each day without losing our sanity.
2. thank you for an encouraging, honest, uplifting blog.
3. keep writing.

I want to thank you for so prominently displaying Laura Frantz’s book on your website! Its gone on my to-buy list now. :)

On the serious side:

Yes, I was being serious – its a book I hadn’t come across yet and based on what folks have said, it looks to be a good one so I’m getting it.

I will have to say that this whole conversation has made me sad. You all may not see it, but I’m Facebook friends with many, many Christian Romance writers. Writers are already a melancholy lot who continually have to fight against the darkness on a regular basis. Satan and his minions are constantly attacking them through every avenue he can. And most of these women (and men) are already wired to feel emotions at a greater depth than most folks – its what allows them to convey the written word at such a great level to others. And then to have a prominent theologian critique their work and compare it to the darkness? Oye vey.

Can some women read a romance book and be led astray? Of course, but is it the romance books fault? Maybe… maybe not. If the book is written by a Christian who has committed him or herself to God and prayed over the entire process – well that’s completely different than someone who is writing their novel to tantalize the reader. If God is in the process of the writing of the book, and a reader goes astray – its because of their own heart to begin.

The most recognizable name in Christian Romance would be Francine Rivers. Have you read her testimony? You need to if you haven’t. She made a huge name for herself writing the books that you are rightly warning women against. And then she came back to the Lord. She tried to keep writing those books and found she couldn’t. It wasn’t until she gave her writing over to God that He transformed it. The first book she wrote is probably the #1 Christian Romance book of all time – Redeeming Love (whether it actually is the #1 selling book or not, I know it tops the list of many readers’ lists of favorites). Now if Christian Romance Books were so wrong to begin with then how is it that God had the power to stop her from writing secular books but yet apparently doesn’t have the power to stop her from writing Christian Roman? He does – but obviously she is doing the ministry that He has called her to, and so she flourishes in that ministry and lives are changed.

Like everything else – a book is a _thing_ – the heart behind making it and the heart that is receiving it are the conditions we need to look out for. And I think that was the message that you were trying to convey, but honestly I feel you weren’t careful enough in your presentation to fully explain your thoughts.

It is a good and noble thing to warn people of danger. Just as meat offered to idols may be something that some need to stay away from; others can eat it without problem – and it had nothing to do with the meat itself, but had to do with the hearts of those partaking. Let us be cognizant when we warn people to “be careful” to not get carried away with generalizations and assumptions.

I can agree that secular Romance novels are possibly harmful. But can Christian Romance novels be harmful? The answer is, no, not really. In fact, I would highly recommend that Dr. Moore and the other commenters who agree with him comparing pornography to Christian Romance actually read a few Christian romances. I’d be happy to recommend a few.

Here are some more appropriate questions:
Was romance invented by God? Yes.
Is God pleased with wives’ enjoyment of our husbands and romance within godly parameters? Yes.
Is legalism harmful? Yes.
Can a lost person come to the Lord through a Christian romance novel? Yes.
Does God call certain people to minister through Christian fiction? Yes.
Do Christian romances make me see my wonderful Christian husband in a bad light? No.
Do they create discontent in a godly woman? No.
Do they cause me to yearn for something I can’t have? No.

I challenge you to read one and decide for yourself.

danMay 30, 2011

@Melanie Dickerson, I don’t know what romance novel writers profess to be ‘christian’,Deb Macomber,Robyn Carr,Sherri Woods & Nora Roberts, are all writers my wife reads. All of these write in traffic detail about sexual relations between nonmarried & even others spouses. This hurts when she will not have relations with me and also gets angry if she knows I’ve read some of them. Why?

I would urge the writer of this blog to read a few more novels written by Christian novelists before condemning a huge number of God’s ministers as purveyors of pornography. We are co-servants in Christ, called by God to write what we write, to draw hearts closer to Him.

@Hannah Alexander,
OOPS! Sorry for the additional post. I had thought my first attempt didn’t make it through. Should have waited awhile. Actually, I’m beginning to enjoy a lot of the sharing on this unintended “loop” and hope we as Christians can all reach a better understanding. As my pastor told me yesterday, we’re all a lot closer to one another than we are to the rest of the world, no matter our differences.

Jay DubsMay 20, 2011

“A lot of this genre, though, is simply a Christianization of a form not intended to enhance intimacy but to escape to an artificial illusion of it. ”

there’s the comparison to pornography:

pornography doesn’t enhance intimacy, but allows the person entrenched in it to escape to an artificial illusion of intimacy.

Romance novels don’t enhance intimacy, they allow the reader to escape into an artificial illusion of intimacy.

Dr. Moore isn’t saying that if you read/write romance novels that you’re doing something equal to filming a pornographic video. Perhaps the vast majority of people never actually read the article – if for some reason they read this post instead – which is doubtful – and are still infuriated, perhaps you should read the last paragraph of the post:

“This is not to equate morally “romance novels” with the grave soul destruction of pornography. But it is worth asking, “Is what I’m consuming leading me toward contentment with my spouse (or future spouse) or away from it? Is it pointing me to the other in one-flesh union or to an eroticized embodiment of my own desires? Is this the mystery or a mirage?”

AnnieMay 21, 2011

@Jay Dubs, those of us upset by this are upset because *Christian* romance in fact DOES have the goal of enhancing intimacy–with God, with family, with spouses.

It isn’t enough to say “I’m not equating it with pornography” after quoting a study that says just that (about MAINSTREAM romance, then making an assumption that Christian romance is built on the same foundation, which is an assumption one ought not make). It isn’t enough to say “If it doesn’t draw you away from your spouse then *maybe* it’s okay.” That’s like me saying, “Maybe if your pastor doesn’t dive into the cultish than he’s not harmful.” “Not harmful” doesn’t give that pastor the credit he deserves for the hours of prayer, the mountain of good, the souls saved through his words. Nor does saying “not to equate romance novels with pornography” give Christian authors their due.

When will the leaders of the church acknowledge that this may not just be “not evil” but that it is in fact a ministry?

Imagine how upset a missionary would be if a pastor got up and said, “I’m not saying ALL missionaries are evil, but have you heard about what some of them did in this place over here? I mean, they have a sexual position named after them. Ask yourself–do these people ever do harm?”

Would you be outraged on their behalf because the pastor focused on the harm of a few? I sure would be. I know missionaries who have poured their heart and soul into their calling, and if someone spoke like that from a pulpit before introducing them, you can bet they’d be rightly upset. I bet you would be too–or would you say, “He didn’t say they were ALL evil! Why are you people upset?” Somehow I doubt you would defend such a pastor in the face of a missionary who’d been hurt by his words.

Please consider that before you defend a position that attacks a ministry God has called thousands of His people to.

Micah NordlandMay 21, 2011

One thing also to be said, I have read portions of several “Christian” romance novels, and found them to contain rather explicit descriptions of sexual intimacy, both inside and outside the bounds of marriage. That’s why when I have nothing else to read, I don’t read a romance novel. In my fight to remain pure, I don’t need a “Christian” book to throw me off balance.

Livi PittmanMay 21, 2011

Christian Fiction is just that- fiction. It’s not real. And unless there’s some bad language or intense sexual content I think it’s okay. IF you know the difference between fiction and reality. If you go around thinking Hogwarts is real and Jacob is going to run out of La Push than you probably shouldn’t fill your brain with stuff like that. Just 1 ‘teenage Christian woman’s'(not to mention Preacher’s Daughter’s) opinion.

Livi

Marie PlanteMay 21, 2011

Christian fiction is a sword raised against the secular fiction culture. It is a ministry to draw readers back to God, opposed to away from him. To remind them of His love and forgiveness and that it is not by our own strength we overcome adversity in our lives. Secular romances glorify the works of the flesh. Christian fiction does not.

To remove it, would cause a further implosion of the culture.

Mr. Moore, are you aware that Christian authors have been banned or shunned by literary groups and societies because of their faith? You have no idea some of the persecution Christian authors have experienced because we refuse to write literary porn. We don’t mind the persecution and we have dug in our heels against the culture.

I have been a Christian fiction writer for 26 years. It’s all about the ministry of Parables! I began my writing career working for John Wayne. Duke knew I was a brand new Christian, uncertain how to share my faith without beating people over the head with a Bible. I am a historical novelist, but near EVERY novel I have written contains the necessary story element of romance.
John Wayne taught me, “Bodie, you can tell people what they need to know about God as long as you put it in a good story.” He also said, “If you write a strong male lead character in the midst of great personal conflict the women will want to read it!”
Finally, Duke deplored graphic sex in film and in novels: “Romance is an intergal part of the human heart. God put it there for a reason.” At this point he quoted Song of Songs and discussed the Biblical portrayal of David and Bathsheba. Then as he spoke about HOW I SHOULD WRITE ROMANCE, he said, “But always remember, sex is a participation sport, it’s not a spectator sport.” For every Christian novelist and every reader of Christian fiction, that is what separates us from the world’s portrayal of “romance.”
Life without God’s beautiful holy romance is what hurts our hearts! There are many readers who long to know what God wants between a man and a woman, and Christian Romance novels offer that beauty and touch the tender places in our hearts. It is VITAL that Christian writers hold the line and tell the stories God has put in their hearts to tell!

AdrienneMay 23, 2011

@Bodie Thoene, Nicely put Bodie. I enjoyed reading your comment.

AdrienneMay 24, 2011

I don’t know why people are saying Pride and Predjudice is an exception to Mr. Moore’s article. How many women own a ‘I heart Mr. Darcy’ t-shirt? Or walk away with longing for a Mr. Darcy or a Captain Fredrick Wentworth?

As a Christian, I’m to presume you wrote this to help people rather than to hinder them. In that case, thank you!

I’m also thankful that God knows your heart, just as He knows the hearts of all my Christian reader/writer friends.

I only have two things to say:

Romans 14:4-6

4 Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand.

5 One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind. 6 Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord. Whoever eats meat does so to the Lord, for they give thanks to God; and whoever abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God.

John 15:16-17

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. 17 This is my command: Love each other.

Julie W.June 13, 2011

@Cheryl Ricker,

So Cheryl, does this mean that we as brothers and sisters in Christ should not judge the act and exhort each other to walk in holiness? I do not know where I would be without the family of God lovingly calling me out when I had ventured into dangerous ground.

It is the world’s way to watch each other go over the edge and care not one whit who loses his soul. We are warned in the scriptures to be open to instruction by those we hold in holy esteem, to discern truth and walk in it. How can we learn that we are in error if we never give place to wise counsel from the body as well as the word of God?

danMay 29, 2011

I am writing from a different perspective than many of you, for I am a man who has struggled with pornography for over 40 years. After being found out recently, I sought the Lord who brought deliverance like I only hoped for in prior years. This did not come easy, much personal prayer and surrender, plus banishment by my wife to separate bedrooms. Regardless, God gave me glorious victory, so you can imagine the betrayal I felt when I happened to pick up a novel my wife was reading and discovered in TRAFFIC detail sexual relations between two adults, premaritl as well. Now you women can tell me there is no arousals to this, but I don’t believe it for one moment. It was very pornographic in appeal and I was sick in the pit of my stomach. 2 faced betrayal has hit home. What now?

Jane HudsonJune 01, 2011

Tim Challies raised a ruckus over The Shack.

Dr. Albert Mohler got people bent out of shape with his yoga article.

Now daring Dr. Moore kindly and compassionately presents research-based information that targets one of Christian women’s most sacred cows.

Some may say, “How dare they?”

I say, “Thanks to each of you for your faithful and loving service to the Body of Christ.”

Julie W.June 13, 2011

I am a single middle-aged woman who serves in singles’ ministry. In the last two years I had felt God challenge me concerning Christian novels of any sort. I’ve always had a propensity to check out of my reality into a novel, and found that when I dealt with this appropriately, God met me where I was and I grown closer to Him.

It was a trust issue with me, that I didn’t believe God would deliver what I needed emotionally and spiritually, so I went looking for it in fiction. I think it is a dangerous thing when we use anything temporal to substitute what we should be receiving right from the throne of grace.

Inspiration is fine coming from a book, but when we use the book as a counterfeit of relationship with God, that should be a warning sign that we need to draw closer to God and not fiction. Life is way too short to be getting lost in someone else’s fictional life when we should be living abundantly our own adventure.

Russell Moore is president of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, the moral and public policy agency of the nation’s largest Protestant denomination.READ MORE